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Copyrighted by George Spiel. 18 



ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY 




C«r< SuMvifi tkrwy, (Gf'njfalhvf) 



Gtarg» D««rty (I A£« uf 30. 

'.».€■[• ri,..J»ln Drwcv. (Sun). 



FOUR GENERATIONS 



1)1. Jullui Ytnunj Ucwcy, ^halh«r) 



LIFE AND GLORIOUS DEEDS 



ADMIRAL DEWEY 

INCLUDING / JS '■' >^ 

A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF OUR CONFLICTS WITH THE SPANIARDS 
AND FILIPINOS IN THE ORIENT 



THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE 



JOSEPH L. STICKNEY 

ADMIRAL DEWEV'S AIDE 

FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS 

MANY OF WHICH WERE TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR DURING THE BATTLE, 
FROM THE BRIDGE OF THE OLYMPIA IN MANILA BAY 

THE CHAS. B. AVER COMPANY, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 



LIBRARY ol CONGRESS 

Two Copies Received 

MAV 9 1904 

Ceoyrtehl Entry 

CLASS XXo. No. 

COPY B 



.irsfc 



Copyright 1898 

11 Y 

JOSEPH L. STICKNEY. 



•^ajjfls^ 



Dedicated To The 

Navy of the United States 



BY 



J^lt^^ 



7 



PREFACE. 



In the first week of May, 1898, while the people of the United States 
were eagerly watching events in Cuba, while the attention of all was 
turned toward the island that promised to be the focal point in the 
pending Spanish-American war, this message flashed across the sea 
from the distant islands of the Western Pacific: 

"Not one Spanish flag flies in Manila Bay to-day. Not one Spanish 
warship floats, except as our prize." 

The brilliant victoiy that Admiral Dewej- won over the Spanish 
fleet in the Philippines aroused the United States to the highest pitch 
of enthusiasm. For the moment Cuba was forgotten, and all public 
interest was directed toward this distant fighting center. Patriotism 
ran high. The "stars and stripes" and Admiral Dewey's picture were 
everyvrhere displayed. Praise of the man was heard on all sides. No 
such deed of valor and skilled manoeuvering had been known since the 
days of Farragut, and for a time it was thought that the battle of 
Manila Bay would end the war. 

To-day the war is ended. Messages telling of brilliant and surpris- 
ing victories are no longer sent from south and east; bulletins are no 
longer posted in the streets; but, while the American nation is bravely 
assuming the "White Man's Burden," the result of its great conquest, 
it becomes the part of History to commemorate the events of ;he war, of 
which the first and most decisive took place on that pleasant May morn- 
ing when the people of Manila and Cavite awoke to find the American 
squadron at their doors. 

It has seemed to me desirable, in this recital of the heroic deeds of a 



10 PREFACE. 

man like Dewey, to begin with a narration of that one of the incidents 
in his career that will be longest remembered, one that will be insep- 
arably linked with not only the story of his life but with the history of 
his country. I make no apology, therefore, for allowing the early events 
in Admiral Dewey's life to be placed after the great victoiy that has 
made him famous throughout the world. 

I have heard it called strange that no one who knew Dewey prior to 
the battle of Manila Bay had any presentiment that he would develop 
into one of the extraordinary naval commanders of modern times. 
There is a trite but, nevertheless, probably true saying that "the wox'ld 
knows nothing of its greatest men." Admiral Dewey is not an accident; 
he is the natural product of his own strong individuality and the system 
by which the officers of the navy of the United States are trained. He 
has passed through a school in which the necessitj^ to act upon the in- 
spiration of an instant is combined with the knowledge of how to wait 
with infinite patience i t- the arrival of the right time to act. 

It is altogether probable that, if there had been no war with Spain, 
Admiral Dewey would have reached the retiring age next December 
without having done an^-thing that would have made his countrymen 
remember him with greater interest or gratitude than they would 
have felt for an}- one of a dozen other navy officers of his time. But all 
his life had been a preparation for just the opportunity that came to 
him. When other officers of his grade were suggested for the command 
of the Asiatic station in the latter part of 1897, no one cared to have 
it. It was offered to Dewey and he accepted it — not because he fore- 
saw an opportunity to win fame, but because he believed an officer 
should always be ready for any duty that might be required of him. 

When at last the time for action drew near, he prepared for it'in 
such a thorough manner that nothing was left to chance. Having com- 
pleted every preparation that forethought, skill and experience could 
suggest, Dewey's one object was to get within reach of the enemy at the 
earliest possible moment. There was where the spirit of the natural 
sea-fighter canu- out and compelled success. It is true that his squadron 




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'Tf^^'-fV- 



5? 



AOriNALUO, the IimnrKent leader of the Filipinos. 

To hiH Moplr he rnnks as a Ilolivar. a Tous«ainl LOuvi-rture or a Washington. History 
mint dcCKlc whrrt he i« lo he placeil This work iucludes a sketch of his life and per- 
(onality, with au cstiiiiule ol his character. 



PREFACE. 



13 



was much stronger than that of the Spaniards; but the difference in 
their merely material force cut no figure in the result. It is no exag- 
geration to say that if Montojo had had Dewey's fleet and if Dewey had 
had Montojo's, it would still have been the colors of the United States 
that would lia^-' been the only ensign afloat in Manila Bay at the close 
of the action. 

It is because Admiral Dewey is a type of the American vrho compels 
and deserves the admiration of not only his own countrymen but of the 
people of every nation who hold dear courage and capacity, delicacy and 
strength, that his name will go down to posterity as one of the noblest 
of this century. 



J^lt^^ 



7 



Chicago, April, 1899. 




2 O 



SS 




Mide bjr T\S*nf Ic Co., New York. 



THE GIFT OF A NATION. 

Tb« abov* picture It ■ pbologriph of the sword and belt ordered by Congress to be given Admiral 
token of tfa* cttloD'i gratitude. It U rlcblr embellished with precious stones. 




GENERAL THOMAS ANDERSON 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



GHAPTEE I. 
FROM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 



rage. 



Commodore Dewey in Command of the Asiatic Squadron — How the 
Story of the "Maine" Disaster Was Obtained — Putting the Fleet 
in Readiness for Battle — A Race from Tokio to Join Dewey — 
Leaving Hong Kong in Deference to Neutrality Laws — A Rendez- 
vous in Mirs Bay — The Voyage to Manila — Night Drills and 
Emergency Calls — The Final War Council — Nearing the Day of 
Battle — In Manila Bay 23 

CHAPTER IL 

THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

First Glimpse of the Enemy's Fleet at Cavite — Dewey Reserves His 
Fire — "You May Fire When You Are Ready, Captain Gridley" — 
The Story of the Conflict— That Withdrawal for Breakfast- 
Resuming the Attack — Dewey's Official Report to the Navy De- 
partment — Dewey Fulfills His Instructions — How Captain Grid- 
ley Told the Tale — A Spanish Account of Our Victory 38 

CHAPTER in. 

AFTER THE BATTLE. 

Receiving the Surrender of Cavite Arsenal — Quibbles and Evasions to 
Meet — A Case for Haste — Journey to Hong Kong to Send Dis- 
patches — Capture of the Callao — Routine of Blockade Duty in 
Manila Bay — Arrival of Aguinaldo from Hong Kong — Estab- 
lishing a Government at Cavite — Three Important Proclamations 
— Filipino Victories over the Spanish — Their Treatment of Span- 
ish Prisoners — Insurgents Invest Manila 66 

15 



16 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 

The American People Rise to an Emergency — Cieueral Merrltt Chosen 
to Comimand an Expedition to the Philippines — Gathering an 
Army at San Francisco — Complications with the Germans in 
Manila Bay — Another Spanish Gunboat Captured — Prisoners 
Become a Nuisance — Arrival of Transports and Troops — First 
Battle Ashore — Ready to Take Manila 80 

CHAPTER V. 

MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 

Approach of the Time when Waiting Was to End — Efforts to Obtain a 
Surrender Without an Engagement Fail — Story of the Battle of 
August 1?> — Dramatic and Picturesque Features of the Assault 
on the Fortifications — Taking Possession of the City — The Part 
Played by the Navy — Captured Spanish Gunboats Distinguish 
Themselves — Organizing the New Regime in Manila — Waiting 
for the Declaration of Peace lOiJ 

CHAPTER VL 

ANCESTRY AND CHILDHOOD OF GEORGE DEWEY. 

"The Child is the Father of the Man" — Origin of the Dewey Family — 
Nine Generations Born in America — The Grandfather of the 
Admiral — Dewey's Father and His Traits — Stories of the Home 
Life and the Youth of the Coming Hero — Boyish Pranks and 
Their Punishment — A Voyage in a Buggy — School Life and 
Schoolmates — Appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. . .121 

CHAPTER VIL 

GEORGE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

Four Years in the Naval Academy at Annapolis — Incidents of Cadet 
Life — .\ Cruise on the European Station — Rapid Promotion for 
the Young OfRcer — Outbreak of the Rebellion — Executive OflScer 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 17 

of the "Mississippi" — Bravery of Dewey When His Vessel Was 
Destroyed — Mentioned in OfQcial Reports — Service With Far- 
ragut— At the Taking of Fort Fisher— What Admiral Porter 
Thought— The End of the War 135 



CHAPTER Vni. 

DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 

When the Civil War Ended — On the European Station — Incidents of 
the Cruise — Marriage and Bereavement of Dewey — Service iu 
Asiatic Waters — Successive Promotions — Shore Duty in Wash- 
ington — Ordered to Command the Asiatic Squadron — The 
Thanks of the Nation — Presents and Honors — Dewey an Admiral . . 1.51 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN HISTORY. 

The Orient Always an Object of Interest and Desire — Writers of 
Authority on the Philippines — Magellan's Famous Voyage under 
the Flag of Spain — The Ladrones Discovered — Arrival at Min- 
danao — Relations with the Natives — ^Legaspi Sails from Mexico 
for the Philippines — The Subjugation of the Islands — Revolt and 
Insurrection — The British Invasion 167 

CHAPTER X. 
ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES. 

The Native Tribes of the Philippines — Islands Comprising the Group — 
Climatic Conditions — Safeguards Against Disease — Earthquakes 
and Volcanoes — Animal and "S'egetable Life — Land and Water 
Reptiles — Beasts and Birds in Countless Numbers — Extensive 
Pearl Fisheries — Mineral Wealth of the Islands — Chinese Inter- 
ests in the Mines — Valuable Discoveries and Future Develop- 
ment 185 



18 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XL 

MANILA AND LUZON UNDER THE SrANISH REGIME. 

The Walls of the Ancient Citj — Picturesque Parks and Public Grounds 
— The Chinese and Their Work — Tragic Memories of the Lunetta 
— Beauties of the Night — Amusements of the Natives — Italian 
Opera and ^Vmerican Circus — Spanish Bull Fights and English 
Horse Races — The Hotels of the City — Native Shops and Their 
Keepers — ^The Town of Cavite — Steamship Service of the Island . . 202 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 

The Visayan Archipelago — On an Island Steamei' — A Typical Spanish 
Town — A Fort Without a Gun — Yellow Journalism in the Phil- 
ippines — Beautiful Women Who Smoke — Cebu and Its Commer- 
cial Importance — The Island of Panay — The Sulu Sea and Its 
Boundaries — Primitive Modes of Life in Palawan — Among the 
Savage Tribes 214 

CHAPTER XIIL 

SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 

Origin of the Sulu Mohammedans — A War for Sui)remacy — Fighting 
the Pirates — Insurrections in the Islands — An Etticieut Governor 
— Where the Slave Trade Flourishes — How to Govern the Sulus 
— An Island Comparatively Unknown — Construction of the 
Native Houses — Peculiar Systems of Local Government — Hos- 
pitality of the Filipinos 232 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE FILIPINOS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 

Savage Tribes in the Islands — The Original Inhabitants — The Com- 
mencement of the Insurrections — Native Weapons and How They 
are Used — Picturesque Dress of Men and Women — Religious 
Ceremonies — Beliefs of the Morros — Some Civilized Character- 
istics — .\ Tribe of Head Hanters — How Some of the Natives Live,. . 247 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 19 

CHAPTER XV. 

COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

New Fields for American Enterprise — Where Rope is Made — Needs of 
the Hemp Growers — An Opportunity for Inventors — Magnitude 
of the Sugar Industry — The Tobacco Factories of Manihi — In- 
fluence of the Chinese in Industrial Matters — Window Panes 
Made From Shells — The Uses of the Bamboo — Rice the Prin- 
cipal Article of Food — How to Reach the Islands 260 

CHAPTER XVI. 

AGUINALDO, THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 

Personality and Career of the Most Notable Man in the Philippines — 
The Last Insurrection Against the Spanish and How It Termi- 
nated — Bribery and the Consequences — Varying Opinions of 
Aguinaldo — A Word About the American Consuls — Relations 
with Army and Navy — General Merritt and the Filipino Admin- 
istration 273 

CHAPTER XVIL 

FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

Complications Are Threatened from the Beginning — The Germans and 
the Insurgents — Affair of the Steamer Filipinas — Recognizing 
the Insurgent Flag — How Dewey Dealt with Aguinaldo — Aguin- 
aldo and His Forces Required to Leave Manila — Picturesque 
March Through the City — Filipino Congress in Session at 
Malolos 287 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 

An Appeal from the Junta Patiiotica at Hong Kong to the American 
People — Charges of Bad Faith — General Merritt's Opinion of the 
Filipinos — General Otis Tries to Secure the Release of Spanish 



20 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

Prisoners Held by the Insurgents— Our Expedition to Iloilo — 
Prcsidmt McKinloy's Instructions to the American Authorities 
in Mauihi— A Manifesto from Aguinaldo — The Filipino Cabinet 
— Agoni illo in Washington — President McKinley Appoints a 
Commission 299 

CHAPTEE XIX. 

OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

Commencement of Hostilities Between Americans and Filipinos — The 
Advance of the Americans — Old Men and Children in the 
Trenches — Shells from Dewey's Fleet — A Filipino Proclama- 
tion — Manila on Fire — Cessation of Hostilities — Arrival of the 
Philippine Commission — The Attaclc on Pasig — Aguinaldo in the 
Trenches — Arrival of the Oregon 323 

CHAPTER XX. 

CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 

The Fighting Continues — Buniing Native Huts — Many Killed on Both 
Sides — The Advance on Malolos — Lawton Captures Santa Cruz 
— Our Men Wade Ashore Tender Fire — In the Hands of the 
Enemy — General Lawton Evacuates the Captured Towns — 
General Otis' Opinion — Revival of Confidence Among the Fili- 
pinos 346 

CHAPTER XXL 

THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 

The Persouucl of the Commission — I'roclaniation to the Filipinos — As- 
suianics of Good Will — The Supremacy of the I'nited States to 
Be Enforced — Honest Civil Service Promised — Industrial Pur- 
suits to Be Encouraged — The Public School System — Opinions 
of Leading Filipinos — No Cessation of Warfare 364 

Poems of Dewey and the Philippines 373 

CHAPTER XXII. 

CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

Brave Americans Fall in Battle — The Death of Colonel Stotzenberg 
— Calumpit Taken — Brilliant ^^■()rk of the Kansas Regiment — 
How Colonel Funston Swam the River — Representatives of 
.\guinaldo Ask a Truce — General Otis' Ultimatum — A Local 
FililiiiH) Government Receives American Sanction — Natives 
Return to Their Homes .'J92 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PACK 

Frontispiece No. 1 — Admiral George Dewey. 

Frontispiece No. '1 — Group of Dewej-, his Father, Grandfather and Sou, 

showing four geuerations. 

The Autlior, Joseph Ij. Stickney 11 

Emilio Aguinaldo 12 

Dewey, Gridley aud I>auiberton 21 

Reproduction of Rare ilap 22 

View of Baltimore in Action 39 

View of Spanish Ships 39 

\'iew of the American Fleet 40 

On Board The Olympia 40 

The Spanish Cruiser Isla de Luzon 49 

The Olympia at Anchor 49 

Map of Manila and Surroundings 50 

Map of Manila Continued 51 

The Baltimore Going Into the Second Fight 52 

View of a Corner of the Cavite Arsenal ' 52 

Three Active ilen — Gridley, Lambert on and Rees (Jl 

The Olympia's Men Cheering the Baltimore During the Battle of Manila 

Bay Gl 

Cavite Arsenal Gate 02 

The Wreck of the Castilla G2 

After the Battle 79 

Boats of the Cruiser Boston 79 

The Concord .sO 

Damage to the Boston 80 

Forward Turret of The Olympia 89 

Starboard Side of The Olympia Quarterdeck 89 

Headquarters of the Cavite Arsenal 90 

Where the White Flag was Hoisted 90 

Looting Cavite 91 

Burying Spanish Dead After the Battle 91 

Protecting the Ammunition 92 

The Forward Turret and Bridge of The Olympia 92 

The Raleigh 101 

Military Mass in Dahalican 102 

21 



22 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

After Dewey's Guns Fired 119 

Filipino lutrenihmeuts 119 

A Spanish liombardineut 120 

Birthplace of Admiral George Dewey 129 

Admiral George Dewey's Wife (Deceased) 130 

Grou{) — Two Brothers and Sister 131 

Brother's Uouse and University Building 132 

Dewey in a Runaway 141 

Dewey Saving Life of Sailor 142 

Dewey Leaving the Burning Mississippi 159 

View in Cemetery 160 

Manila Wharf . .' 169 

The Main Street in Manila 170 

Gun Foundry at Manila 171 

Zapote Bridge 172 

Destruction Wrought by iJoinbardment 181 

Very Deliberate and Quite Characteristic of Spain 182 

Near the l'hilipi)ine Islands, showing Spanish (iunboat Leyte 199 

Perforated by Shells 200 

Aguinaldo (taken when younger in age and experience) 200 

Convent l^sed as a Magazine 217 

A Beautiful Home and Park 218 

Entrauce to Cavite 235 

Aguinaldo's Cain]) 236 

Captain Charles V. Gridley (Deceased) 253 

Group of Filipino Officers, including General Aguinaldo 254 

Aguinaldo's Secretary 271 

A Company of Filipino Soldiers 272 

A Defense 289 

Former Home of the (Captain General of tlie I'iiilipiiincs 290 

Red Cross Hosj)ilal in the Philippines 307 

View of Cavite 308 

General E. S. Otis 325 

General Wesley Merritt 326 

General Arthur MacArthur 343 

General William Lawton 344 

General Loyil Wheaton 361 

General Frau.is V. Greene 362 

General Charles King 379 

View «)f Pasig River and Surroundings 380 

Public S()uare and (^hurch at Paco 397 

The Roads a Novelty to Americans 398 

A I'retty Piece of Architecture 41S 

Country Road in the Philippine Islands 416 




CopyrighleJ. 1899, by Juseph L. Slickney. 

DEWEY, GRIDLEY, LAMBERTON 

Commodore Dewey receiving reports from Captain Gridley and Commander Lamberton a few 
minutes after the fleet hauled off "for breakfast' during the battle of Manila Bay. Back of the group 
is seen the chase of the after 5-inch gun, which was in the Commodore's cabin, and above that gun is a 
6-pounder, protected by hammocks. 




\,\'y^ "Ji^^ '[ ■■■, ■ 



mf? 




REPRODUCTION OF RARE MAP 

Taken from the chart-house of the Spanish cruiser Isla de Luzon the morning after the battle, while she 
was still burning. It was the chart used by the navigator of that vessel during the fight, found by Mr. Stickney, 
just as it had been abandoned when the Petrel drove the crew ashore. This is probably the only chart used by 
Uiu Spaniards during the battle, saved from the fire that destroyed them, after they were sunk. 



CHAPTER I. 

FROM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 

Commodore Dewey in Command of the Asiatic Squadron — How the Storv 
of the "Maine" Disaster Was Obtained — Putting the Fleet in Readiness 
for Battle — A Race from Tokio to Join Dewey — Leaving Hong Kong 
in Deference to Neutrality Laws — A Rendezvous in Mirs Bay— The 
Voyage to Manila— Night Drills and Emergency Calls — The Final War 
Council — Nearing the Day of Battle — In Manila Bay. 

Without treating the subject in a technical way, I purpose giving an 
account of Commodore (now Admii*al) Dewey's operations in the Phil- 
ippines, from the time when war with Spain was declared to the occupa- 
tion of the city of Manila. To most of these events I was an eye-witness, 
and I was in a position to learn what may be called the "inside history" 
of everj' important occurrence in the bay. 

Shortly after the explosion that destroyed the Maine, Commodore 
Dewey received orders to concentrate the Asiatic squadron at Hong 
Kong. Without professing to tell any state secrets, I may say that this 
rendezvous was made as a precautionary move in case the investiga- 
tion into the cause of the Maine's destruction should result in war 
with Spain. Accordingly the Flagship Olympia, the Boston, the Ra- 
leigh and the Concord, cruisers, and the gunboat Peti'el, assembled in 
the harbor of Dong Kong before the middle of March, 1898. The 
Monocacy, the only remaining vessel on the Asiatic station, was left 
in Shanghai because she was not sufficiently seaworthy to make even 
a short cruise. 

As I was not with Commodore Dewey at this time, I can speak about 
his acts prior to my joining him only from information obtained from 
his officere; but as to its absolute accuracy there can be no question. 

When the news of the destruction of the Maine was received on the 
Asiatic station, the news agency that serves the Far East with dis- 
patches from the United States and Europe sent such meager and un- 
satisfactory reports that the officers of the squadron in Hong Kong 
subscribed a sufficient sum of money to have a full account cabled to 

23 



24 FHOM H(>N(i K()N<; TO MANILA. 

them. Wishiujj; ;iii arcuiati- and unbiased .><t(H y, thej' asked Col. W. L. 
Church, editor of the Arniv and Navy Journal, of New York, to send 
them the admitted faet.s toiueruinj,' the disaster to the Maine, and 
within ten days tliey had all the information that wa Mien obtainable. 

Dewey's Opinion of the Maine Disaster. 

Commodore Dewey was too well versed in all the technical questions 
involved to have aaiy doubt about the real cause of the explosion. He 
made all his plans upon the probability that the court of investigation 
would lay the disaster at the door of the Spaniards and that there could 
be only one result of such a tin<linj; — namely, war between the United 
States and Spain. To be ready for that emergency he made every prej)- 
aration that skill and experience could suggest. His ships were docked, 
that their bottoms might be cleaned; their bunkers were kept tilled with 
coal; i)rovisions were ordered in anqtle (juautities, so that they might 
leave port at any time with supplies sullicient to feed the crews for 
three months, and eveiy piece of mechanism, whether in the propelling 
machinery or at the guns, was overhauled and put in complete order 
for elTective and continuous work. As the relations between the two 
powers became more and more strained, the (nmmodore asked and ob- 
tained leave to charter a supply ship and a collier. The British steamer 
Zaflro was taken for the supply vessel, and the British steajner Naushau, 
laden with 3,000 tons of the best Welsh coal, was chartered as the 
collier. 

How thoroughly Commodore Dewey made his prejiarations may be 
understood by a comparison of the dates of his movements against the 
Spanish forces in the lMiilip])ines. ^Var was declared on Monday, 
April l'.r»lli, and on Wednesday, April 27tli, he sailed for ^Manila, having 
waited two days solely on account of tlie coming of the I'nited Slates 
Consul at Manila, who, he had been informed, would bring him im- 
portant facts concerning the Spanish lleet and tin- defences of Manila. 

It was just before this time that my own preparations to take part in 
the Manila campaign were made. I had gone to Japan to keep a look- 
out upon the British, Japanese and Russian fleets in the Far East, be- 
cause there were such indications of tension among the Western powers 
that it was desirable to be in the neighborhood of Asiatic waters for any 
war that might occur between Kussia and Great Britain. 



FROM HONG KONd TO MANILA. 25 

Arranging to Join Dewey. 

Being in Tokio, Japan, I cabled to Commodore Dewey on Saturday, 
April 9tli, as follows: 

"The Secretary of the Navy gives me permission to accompany your 
squadron to the Philippines if you do not object. May I go with you, 
agreeing not to send while with yon any news except when approved by 
you? If yes, shall I come immediately? Stickney, Imperial Hotel." 

I received next day the follo^dng reply, dated Hong Kong: 

"Yes; come immediately. Dewey." 

On Monday, April 11th, the cruiser Baltimore, bringing ammunition 
for Dewey's ships, entered the harbor of Yokohama just as I was em- 
barking in the mail steamer China for Hong Kong, and I was thus as- 
sui'ed of joining the Commodore before he sailed for the Philippines, 
because I knew he would wait for the Baltimore; and, as the latter was 
going to remain in Yokohama long enough to fill up with coal, it was 
a practical certainty that the China would reach Hong Kong first. I had 
as a shipmate in the China Captain (then Commander) B. P. Lamberton, 
United States Navy, who was under orders to report to Commodore 
Dewey, to take command of the cruiser Boston. As fog and storm de- 
layed the China two days over her schedule time'between Yokohama 
and Hong Kong, we were both seriously apprehensive that we should 
find our squadron gone to Mirs Bay when we reached our destination, as 
we had been informed in Shanghai that Commodore Dewey had already 
withdrawn to that bay, about thirty miles north of Hong Kong — in- 
formation which we found to be incorrect. 

The First Sight of War Preparations. 

Entering the harbor of Hong Kong in a moderate gale after night- 
fall on Thursday, April 21st, the China was obliged to anchor below Lye 
Moon Pass, far down the bay, and we were unable to learn whether or 
not our ships were in the harbor; but, as we went to the China's moor- 
ing buoy at daylight next morning and the long stretch of the man-of- 
war anchorage opened into view, we saw seven grim vessels moored iu 
line, apart from the white painted hulls of the British squadron. And 
simultaneouslv the same thought flashed through our minds, and to- 



2(: PKOM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 

jiftliei" we crieil: "They're yrey! They're greyl This means war!" 
For, instead uf tlie brilliant white, that had made our shi])s such eou- 
spieuous features of the Yolcohama harbor, when I had last seen them 
there, every one wore a garb of olive grey — the recognized war paint of 
the navy. But we were iu time for the battle, and our hearts were glad. 

And pre-seutlj-, through the fog-laden atmosphere that obscured the 
viev\- of the lower bay, we saw a great white ship forge into the harbor 
Hying the "stars and stripes" and making signals to the Oiympia. It was 
the Baltimore, just arriving from Yokohama. The curtain was about 
to ri.se on a war drama of which all the world was to furnish the 
spectators. 

Events began to move fast enough now. The I'.nliimoi'e had been 
lying in Honolulu a long time, and her bottom was covered with seawci d 
and barnacles to such an extent as to reduce her speed very seriously. 
In preparation for her arrival, therefore, permission had been obtained 
to dock this fine cruiser as soon as she reached Hong Kong, and before 
sunrise next morning she was floated into dock at Kowloon, just across 
the harbor. The forethought which Commodore Dewey slioAved in 
laying his plans was equalled only by the rajiidity with which he ami 
his subordinates executed them. The English uav^- ollicers, who have 
a pretty good reputation for skill in the umnagement of ships and 
seamen, Avere surprised at the prompt handling of the Baltimore and 
the amount of work done by her men. On Sunday, April 2od, she came 
out of dock, her bnttcuu cleaned and coated with auti-fouling com- 
pound and her upper hull repainted with the war color of bluish grey. 

From Hong Kong to Manila. 

Acting Governor Black issued a proclamation Saturday evening in 
which he announced the neutrality of Great Britain and laid down the 
rules which the warships of the United States and Spain would have 
to obey in Hong Kong waters. In accordance therewith Commodore 
Dewey sent most of his squadron out of the harbor on Sunday, and all 
the American cruisers were anchored in Mirs Bay on Monday, April 
21th. The Commodore was all ready for action that day, but he wished 
to await the arrival of the United States consul at Manila, ilr. O. F. 
Williams, who v.as then en his way from Jlanila to Hong Kong. 

Commodoic Dewey's orders when he sailed from Mirs Bav were brief 



FROM HON(! KONG TO MANILA. 27 

but explicit. He was instnicted to proceed to the Philippine Islands 
and do his utmost to capture or destroy the Spanish naval force in those 
waters. During the battle in Avhich he completel3- accomplished the 
task set him he kept those orders so literally in mind that, for a long 
time after the Spanish batteries had begun to show that they could do 
better shooting than was being done by the Spanish cruisers, the Com- 
modore refused to turn any of his fire upon them. 

"We'll sink the ships first," he said, "and then we'll finish off the 
shore guns." 

Augustin's Bombastic Proclamation. 

One of Tiie curiosities of the day was the issuance by Captain-General 
Augustin of a proclamation concerning the coming of our fleet. It was 
couched in such extravagant and absurd language that many people 
refused to believe that it was really issued by the Spanish commander- 
in-chief. Having obtained a copy of the Spanish newspaper in Manila 
in which it was officially published, I present herewith, in fac-simile 
that part of the paper containing it, with a translation into English.' 

ESPANOLES: EXTRAORDINARY PROCLA- 
MATION BY TIIE GOV-' 

Entre Espana y los Estados- ERNOR-GENERAL OF 

Unidos de la America del Norte THE PIIILIPriXES 

se han roto las hostilidades. 

Llego el momento de demostrar "Spaniards. 

al niundo que nos sobran alientos "Between Spain and the United 

para veneer a los que, fingi(?ndose States of North America hostilities 

amigos leales, aprovecharon nues- have broken out. 
tras desgracias y explotaron nues- "The moment has arrived to 

tra hidalguia utilizando medios prove to the world that we possess 

que las naciones cultas reputan the spirit to conquer those who 

por reprobados 6 indignos. pretending to be loyal friends, take 

El pueblo norte-americano, advantage of our misfortunes and 

formado por todas las excrecencias abuse our hospitality, using means 

sociales, agoto miestra paciencia y which civilized nations count un- 

ha provocado la guerra con sus worthy and disreputable. 



28 



FKO^r IKtNC K()\(i TO MANILA. 



pei'fldas iiuKiuiuiiciones, cuu sus 
actos do dt'slealtad, con sus 
atentados al dereoho de gt'iitos y 
a las fonvenciones iuteruacionaley. 

La lucha sera breve y decisiva. 
El Dios de las victorias nos la con- 
cedera tan brillaute y conipleta 
(•omo demandan la razon y la 
justic-ia deniiestra <ausa. Ksjjaria, 
(jue ciienta con las simpatias do 
lodas las Xacionos, saldra trlun- 
fante de esta unova priieba, humi- 
iiaudo y haciondo onnmdecer a los 
aventureros de aquellos Estados 
(lue, sin cohesion y sin historia, 
.solo ofrocen a la liumanidad tradi- 
ciones vergonzosas y el espectiiculo 
in!j:rato de nnas Ci\maras en que 
aparecon unidas la procacidad y 
la diTaniaciun, la cobardia y el 
cinisnio. 

Una (■s<iia(ira, tripulada ])or 
jicntos adveut'diza-s sin instnic- 
rion ni disciplina, se dispone (i 
vcnir a csto arciiipiela^o con el 
dosi-abellado proposito de arreba- 
larr)s cuanto sij^uifica vida, honor 
y libertad. Prelondese inspii-ar (i 
l(js niarinos norte-americanos ol 
coraje de que son incapaces, eu- 
coiiiondandolos, como realizable 
fin])i('sa, la do snstitnir con el pro- 
tostaiitisnio la religion catolica. 
quo jirofosais, Irafiiros conio (ribus 
refract arias a la civiiizacion, 
a])odorarso do vuostras riquozas 
(OHIO si OS fiioso dosconocido ol 
dori'chu de ]irnpi{'<lad, arrchataros, 



'"The North American people, 
constituted of all the social e.\- 
creseuces, have exhausted our pa- 
tience and provoked war with 
their perfidious machinations, 
with their acts of treachery, with 
their outrages against the law of 
nations and international conven- 
t ions. 

"The struggle will be short and 
(locisivo. The God of Victories will 
give us one as brilliant and com- 
plete as the rigliteousness and jus- 
tice of our cause demand. Spain, 
which counts upon the sympathies 
of all the nations, will emerge tri- 
umijhantly from this war test, 
humiliating and blasting the ad- 
venturers from those States that, 
without cohesion and without a 
liistory, offer to humanity only in- 
famous traditions and the ungrate- 
ful spectacle of Ohambors in which 
apj)oar united insolonco and defa- 
mation, cowardice and cynicisni. 

A Very Bad Lot, Those Aiiicricaiis. 

"A squadron manned by for- 
eigners, possessing neither instruc- 
tion nor discipline, is preparing to 
come to this archipelago with the 
ruflfianly intention of robbing us 
of all that moans life, honor, and 
liberty. Pretending to be inspired 
by a courage of Avhicli they are in- 
capable, the North American sea- 
men undertake as an enterprise 
(•a]pable of realization the substitu- 



FROM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 



29 



en fin, las personas que considereu 
I'ltiles para tripular sus barcos 6 
ser explotadas en faenas agTicolas 
6 trabajos industriales. 

iVanos prop6sitos! ; Ridicules 
alardes! 

Vuestra indomable bravura 
basta (i impedir que osen intentar 
siquiera realizarlos. No consen- 
tir^is, no, que se escarnezca la f^ 
que profesais, ni que plantas im- 
plas bollen el temple del Dios ver- 
dadero, ni que la incredulidad der- 
roque las santas imagenes que 
adorais; no profanaran los agre- 
sores las tumbas de Tuestros pa- 
dres: no satisfaran sus impiidicas 
pasiones (i costa del honor de vues- 
tras esposas e hijas; no os arreba- 
taran los bienes que vuestra virtud 
acumulo para asegurar vuestra 
vida; no realizaran, no, uinguno 
de esos crlmenes acari dados por 
su maldad y su codicia, porque 
vuestro valor yvuestro patriotismo 
bastan para escarmentar y abatir 
al pueblo que, llamiindose civiliza- 
do y culto, emplea el exterminio 
con los indigenas de la Am(?rica 
del Norte sin procurar atraerlos a 
la vida de la civilizacion y del pro- 
gi'eso. 

i Filipinos! preparaos ii la 
lucha, y unidos cuantos cobija la 
gloriosa bandera espaCola, siem- 
pre cubierta de laureles, peleemos 
con el convencimiento de que la 
victoria coronarA nuestros esfuer- 



tion of Protestantism for the Cath- 
olic religion you profess, to treat 
you as tribes refractory to civiliza- 
tion, to take possession of your 
riches as if they were unac- 
quainted with the rights of prop- 
erty, and to kidnap those persons 
whom they consider useful to man 
their ships or to be exploited in 
agricultural or industrial labor. 

"Vain designs! Ridiculous 
boastings! 

"Your indomitable bravery will 
suffice to frustrate the attempt to 
carry them into realization. You 
will not allow the faith you pro- 
fess to be made a mock of impious 
hands to be placed on the temple 
of the tnie God, the images you 
adore to be thrown down by un- 
belief. The aggressors shall not 
profane the tombs of your fathers, 
they shall not gratify their lustful 
passions at the cost of your wives' 
and daughters' honor, or appro- 
priate the property that your in- 
dustry has accumulated as a pro- 
vision for your old age. No, they 
shall not perpetrate any of the 
crimes inspired by their wicked- 
ness and covetousness, because 
your valor and patriotism will 
suffice to punish and abase the 
people that, claiming to be civil- 
ized and cultivated, have extermi- 
nated the natives of North Ameri- 
ca instead of bringing to them the 
life of civilization and of progress. 



30 



FK(»M IIONd KONG TO MANILA. 



zos' y coutestemos ii las intiuia- 
cidiies (Ic nueslrus ^neniij^os con la 
dccisiou del ci'istiauo y del patrio- 
ta al «^rito de ! \"iva Espafia! 
Manila, 23 de Abril de 1898. 
Vuestro General, 
Basilio Aufjc'istin y Davila. 



"Philipinos, prepare for tbe 
struggle and, united under the 
glorious Spanisli tlag, which is 
ever covered with laurels, let us 
fight with the conviction that vic- 
tory will crown our efforts, and to 
the calls of our enemies let us op- 
pose with the decision of the 
Christian and the patriot the cry 
of 'Viva E.spaua.' 

"Manila, 23d April, 1898. 
''Your (lenei'al, 
''Basilio August in Davila." 



About noon on Wednesday the consul reached Mirs Bay, and prompt- 
ly the signal was nuide: "Get under way." During the time since it 
had become apparent that war was inevitable the squadron had been 
engaged in ])reparations for an immediate fight, and the signal Avas 
answered M"ith an alacrity tliat showed liow welcome was llie order to 
the shijjs' companies. At two o'clock the llagship Olympia led the way 
out of Mirs Bay, followed l)y the Baltimore, the Ualeigh, the Petrel, the 
Concord and the Boston, in the order named, wiiilc in a s('i>arate line 
wi're the dispatch-boat McCulloch, the Zafiro ami tiie Xaiisliaii. The 
slow speed of eight knots was set by the llagshi]), because the colliers 
were deeply laden, and it was not wise to ]tush them to their best sjx'ed 
in the long, moderate sea then ninniug. 

The course was laid for Cajx' Boliuao, near llie iioilhcni cud of the 
island of Luzon, ami we ran out of the ground swell before Tliiiisday 
night, althftugh there was still ciinngli motion on 1 lie smaller ships to 
kec]) their decks wet ami far fimii ciiiiifoitabje. ^^■(•dllesday midnight 
the Commodore waked the boys uj) with a rail to "(luarters for action," 
just to see how (piickly they could get their siii])s ready to meet the 
enemy. As the raj)id and stirring notes of the bugle rang through the 
Oiymjiia, followed by the hoarse call of the boatswain's mates, the silent 
beehive was instantaneously transformed into a scene of the greatest 
activity. The watch already on deck jiromjitly began to clear Ihe bat- 
tcr\- for service. The wairli liclnw, iniiscd oiii oi' ilicii- early slee]), 
(piickly dropped from tiieir hammocks or sprang from the deck where 



FKOM HOXG KONG TO MANILA. 31 

thev had been sleeping and hustled into their clothes. Soon they began 
appearing on the upper deck, each carrying two hammocks, to be stowed 
in the nettings or packed around the small rapid-fire pieces as a pro- 
tection against musketi-y. 

A Test of S,eadiness for Battle. 

The sea fastenings of the guns v/ere hastily cast loose, the training 
levers shipped, the sights uncovered, the elevating screws worked and 
the sponge and rammer placed ready for use. In the powder division the 
magazines were opened, the hatches of the shell rooms taken off, the 
electric battle lanterns turned on and put in their proper places, the 
division tubs filled with water and the ammunition hoists set at work 
whipping up powder and shell. The master's division went to the wheel 
and the lead, hung up the battle lanterns and swiftly swung the search 
lights around to be sure that they were in eaay working condition. The 
signalmen cleared away the Ardois lights and got otit the Coston 
signals, ready to communicate with the other ships of the fleet as occa- 
sion might require. The engineer's division gathered at their stations 
in the fire rooms and engine rooms, ready to fire up under all boilers 
and put on any pressure of steam up to the maximum limit as called 
upon, at the same time closing the watertight compartment doors and 
starting the forced-draft air blowers. Throughout the ship there was 
continuous movement and preparation, carried forward in silence and 
generally in darkness, the only noises being those caused by the working 
of the machinery and the guns. 

Suddenly, out of the silent gloom, the voice of the executive otticei*, 
Lieutenant IJees, was heard: "Man the starboard battery! Pivot to 
starboard!" The heavy turrets swung around on their centers till their 
guns pointed off to starboard, and the men quickly took their places 
at the gims on the starboaid side of the ship. When each division 
officer had satisfied himself that not one small detail of preparation had 
been overlooked, he went to the upper deck where the executive officer 
was standing and reported his division. The ship's writer, acting as 
clerk for the executive — in the absence of naval cadets in the Olympia — 
took note of the time when each division officer made his report, thus 
keeping a record by which the captain could judge the promptitude of 
his crew in all its departments. 



32 FliOM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 



Spirited Work on the Olympia. 

In just seven minutes from the first note on the bugle, Lieutenant 
Eees reported to the captain: "The ship is cleared for action, sir." 
A rapid drill at the guiis — "going through the motions" of loading and 
firing at an imaginary enemy, first on one side and then on the other — 
kept the men on the jump for twenty minutes, and then came the order: 
"Secure!" "With a rapidity like to that with which the guns had been 
cast loose, the crew returned to the magazines and shell-rooms the 
ammunition that had been brought on deck, replaced the temporary 
fittings that had been removed and secured the guns for sea. Again 
the division officers had a brisk rivalry to be first in reporting their 
divisions secured, and when they had made their reports the executive 
officer sent word to the captain, "All secure, sir." This was followed 
by "Retreat!" sounded on the bugle, and the men left their battle sta- 
tions to resume the usual routine of the night watches. 

During the slow run across the China Sea, the men in our ships were 
exercised in all tlie duties ijci-taiuing to battle except the actual firing 
of the guns. There was never a moment after the tiuie the "hands were 
turned to" — the naA^y phrase that indicates the waking up of every one 
aboard and the stowing of all hammocks in the nettings— when the 
crews Avere not busy about something that would be of use to them in 
the fight that was now so near at hand. When twilight hour came it 
was a fairly well tired-out lot of jackies that carx*ied their hammocks be- 
low to get a night's rest, broken, of course, by the regular sea watches. 

Patriotic Music at Sea. 

At the hour wlieu llie officers dined in the evening the band mus- 
tered on the deck just forward of the Commodore's cabin and played 
popular airs, the selections being made usually from the light comic 
operas and stirring march movements of faA-orite composers; but on 
Thursday, the day after leaving Mirs Bay, IJandmaster Valifuoco select- 
ed the music with s])ecial reference to rousing the patriotism of the 
"boys in blue," choosing many of the airs that had been popular in the 
north dui'ing our civil war. These were all favorably received, but it 
was not till the band struck up "Yankee Doodle" that the boys cheered. 
When the concert dosed with "The Star Spangled Banner," the voices 



FROM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 33 

of at least fifty men took up the words of each verse, the younj^ ap- 
prentices being particularly noticeable in the lead, and the chorus 
spread through the ship from forecastle to cabin with an enthusiasm 
that carried with it the hearts of all on board. 

Laud was sighted Saturday morn-ing, April 30th, the squadron hav- 
ing arrived off Cape Bolinao, near the north end of the Island of Luzon. 
That forenoon the Boston and the Concord were sent ahead of the rest 
of the fleet to enter Subig Bay, which is about thirty miles north of 
the entrance to Manila Bay. As it was thought that perhaps the 
Spanish squadron might have moved up to this bay, the Baltimore was 
sent to reinforce the other two vessels a little before noon. 

As the remaining ships came down the coast at easy speed, several 
small schooners were sighted along the shore and the Commodore or- 
dered the Zafiro to overhaul one of them to see whether she could give 
us news concerning the Spanish defences at Manila. When the Zafiro 
I'eturned from this duty signal was made to her to come within hail of 
tile llagship. Her captain, misgauging his speed as he came close 
alongside the 01ympia,shot ahead and then made the mistake of putting 
his helm the wrong way. In consequence, the Zafiro swung straight 
across the flagship's bows, and a collision seemed inevitable. Lieu- 
tenant Strife, the officer of the deck — that is, the officer having chai'ge 
of the handling of the Olympia during that watch — was equal to the 
emergency. He quickly put the Olympia's helm over also, and the two 
vessels glided past each other without touching. As the Olympia's bow 
just cleared the Zafiro's stern by a distance of not more than three or 
four feet, the Commodore said to Captain Gridley: 

Commodore Dewey's Way. 

"Who has the deck, Captain Gridley?'' and then, when informed, he 
added: "Give my compliments to Lieutenant Strife and tell him that 
I noticed and appreciated his coolness and skill in handling the ship so 
as to avoid a collision." 

It was not a matter of much moment in itself, since Strife did no 
uKire than his duty, but the incident was illustrative of Dewey's way of 
dealing with his officers. 

When we arrived off the entrance to Subig Bay, early in the after- 
noon, the Boston, the Baltimore and the Concord came out of the bay 



34 FROM noXf; KONG TO MANILA. 

and reported that the Spaniards had neither ships nor shore guns in 
the harbor. Our course for Manihi was resumed. Xow the final prep- 
arations for battle were made. All woodwork that could be removed 
without injury to tiie working of the vessels was thrown overboard, and 
it was interesting to see the men coming on deck in a steady stream, 
carrying in their arms tables, chairs, doors and bulkheads, which they 
would pitch into the sea as though the}' were enjoying the opportunity 
to dismantle the interior of their ship. In fact, the seamen were glad 
to get rid of everjtliing that might endanger their lives by fire. In the 
Olympia tlie men had a number of board tables, made to swing from the 
beams above th<» berth deck, upon which they served their meals. The 
executive officer gave an order that these mess-tables should be "put 
over the side," meaning that they should be hung outside the ship by 
rojies in a position where, even if they should catch on tiro', tiiey would 
endanger nothing else. But tlie seamen chose to interpret the order 
to mean that the tables should go overboard, and the result was that, 
after the battU', the jackies had to eat either standing or lying down, 
since they had no tables. 

Giving His Captains Their Final Orders. 

A few miles uortli of tlic ciil ranee to Manila 15ay, Commodore Dewey 
stoi)i)ed his llagship and ma(h' signal for commanding officers to repair 
on bitard. When every gig had been called away, and tlu' cajjtaiu of 
each ship was steering in .solitary state toward the ()lym]iia, no one 
needed to be told tiiat we were on the eve of battle. 

"They're comin'," said oiu' of the old seamen, "to hear tiie 'ohl man's' 
last word before we go at the Dons." 

"Not his last word," said one of the younger men. 

"Perhaps not hi.s," was I lie rejily, "but it's ueai- our last words some 
of us are. There'll be many an eye will look at that sunset to-night 
tlial'll nevei' see another." 

l\\\[ such |iro]»hets of s(»rrow were rare. As a rule oiir men went 
into tlie action of .Manila P.ay Avilh their minds more set ujiou revenge 
than foreboding. 

The sun went down on a sea as calm as if storm were unknown, the 
deep sai)i>hire surface beJTig uiirumed by even a ripple. Deaps of clouds 
in the southeast were colored in all the gorgeous i)ageantry of a tropical 



FROM HONG KON(J TO MANILA. 35 

hrillianoy, and some of the more imaginative miuds were able to see 
cloud-shapes that resembled the Maine. 

The war council was of short duration. Commodore Dewey had de- 
cided on his plans before it met, and he took little time in giving to 
each captain his duties for the night and next day. By seven o'clock 
the gigs were all hoisted at their davits, the flagship was again under 
way, and long before dark every vessel had taken her station, ready to 
run by the batteries at the month of the bay or to fight her passage, as 
circumstances might require. Aside from one light at the very stern of 
each ship, intended as a guide for the next in line, not a glimmer was to 
be seen aboard any craft in the fleet. As I looked astern from the 
Olympia's taffrail, I could just get a faint suggestion of a ghostly shape 
where the Baltimore grimly held her course on our port quarter, while 
the Raleigh, somewhat further away on our starboard quarter, could 
be seen by only the sharpest eyes when the moon was wholly unob- 
scured by cloud. 

Entering Manila Eay. 

The Commodore decided to waste no time in useless delay; but, re- 
gardless of hidden mines and shore batteries, led the way into the 
harbor. With all lights out, and the crews at the guns, the warships in 
their grey w^ar paint turned silently toAvard the Boca Grande, the 
larger entrance to the bay, the flagship, Olyrapia, leading. Following 
closely, in the order that was retained during the battle of the suc- 
ceeding day, came the Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Petrel, the Concord, 
and the Boston. 

As the fleet approached the entrance it moved as slowly as was 
compatible w'ith keeping the formation of the line. Half of the crew of 
each gun were allowed to sleep alongside their stations in order that 
they might be better fitted for what was to come. Except for the sleep- 
less eye on the bridge of the Olympia, and the alert gaze of the officei'S 
on watch, the ships seemed to slumber, as did the city and the forts. 

It was at 9:4:5 o'clock that the men were sent to their guns, but there 
was little needed in the way of preparation for battle. On the shore 
north of the other channel — Boca Chica, as it is named — we had seen a 
bright light, but there was no stir perceptible to indicate that we had 
been discovered by the Spaniards. Opposite the middle of Corregidor — 



36 FROM HONG KONG TO MANILA. 

the island that lies iu the eutrauce to the bay— another light now began 
to Hash at intervals, as if making signals, and soon the ilight of a rocket 
from this island told us that we had been discovered. 

"We ought to have a shot from Corregidor very soon now," said the 
Commodore; and having been already sighted, our ships were permitted 
to increase their speed to eight knots. The Olympia could have moved 
at a 15-kuot gait without any unusual effort, and all the warships could 
have made about twelve knots; but it would not have been safe for 
the fighting craft to run away from the non-combatant column led by 
the revenue cutter McCulloch, and as the Nanshan and the Zafiro were 
not capable of doing much better than eight knots that speed was never 
exceeded. 

Into the yawning blackness between Corregidor and the lone rock 
that is called El Fraile — the Monk — we passed, and still no hostile 
demonstration from the Spanish guns and torpedoes. The moon was 
now hidden in the western clouds, and the solemn stillness of the 
Olympia, as we steamed along in the complete darkness, made the 
passage of the entrance probably the most oppressive time of our whole 
operations. 

The First Shot from the Spaniards. 

On, on crept the mighty engines of war, but the batteries on shore 
gave no sign. Suddenly when the flagship had passed a mile beyond 
Corregidor Island, a gun boomed out, and a shell went screaming over 
(Ire lialeigh and the Olympia, soon followed by a second. Three ships, 
tiie Kaleigh, the Concord and the Boston, replied, apparently with effect, 
fur the firing ceased, and again the batteries lay silent. 

As Commodore Dewej' had planned, the fleet arrived within five miles 
of Manila at daybreak. What must have been the astonishment in 
I lie Sjiani.sh lines when the sun rose, and they looked out on the Ameri- 
< an sliips that bad come in during the night! 

While, as yet, the fleet retained the appearance of calm that had 
characterized its approach, now many eyes on board lighted with the 
fire of war, as they sighted the Spanish fleet, under command of Rear 
.Vdmiral Montojo, lying olT Cavite, and realized that the battle was at 
hand. During most of Ihe battle the Spanish vessels were moving about 
at full speed. The Sjianiards had a well erjuipped navy yard called 
Ca\it(' Arsenal, wliidi had put tln' shij)s in fli'st-ra(e fighling trim, and 



FRO^M ITONO KONr, TO MANILA. 37 

on Sangley Point they had two strong batteries containing three 
6.2-inch and one 4.7-inch guns; so that, when we take into account the 
advautages that the Spaniards had in position, in their opportunities 
to hi}' mines, and in their knowledge of the bay, it may be seen that it 
was no trLfliug task that confronted the fleet. 

With the American flag flying from all mastheads, the ships moved 
on. Xo excitement was visible; the quiet man on the bridge of the 
Olympia was as unmoved, apparently, as though he were sailing into 
a peaceful harbor. For the first time in many years the stars and 
stripes were being borne aggressively into a foreign port. It was an 
epoch in history. The rapid changes of scene and the Avhole picturesque 
effect was something never to be forgotten. The underlying meaning of 
it all was too great to be readily understood. Nineteenth century civili- 
zation and fifteenth century medisevalism lay confronting each other. 



CHAPTER n. 

THE BATTLE OF MANILA I5AY. 

First Glimpse of the Enemy's Fleet at Cavite — Dewey Eosei'ves His Fire — ■ 
"You May Fire Wlieu You Are Ecady, Captain Gridley" — The Story 
of the Conflict— That \M1lHlrawal for Breakfast— Resuming the At- 
tack — Dewey's Official Report to the Navy Dej)artment — Dewey Fullills 
His Instructions — How Captain Gridley Told the Tale — A Spanish 
Account of Our Victory. 

As the ships passed in front of Manila, action was begun by the 
Spaniards. Throe batteries, mounting guns powerful enough to send 
shells to the distance of five miles, opened fire. The Concord replied, 
but Commodore Dewey, after two shots, made signal to stop firing, since 
there was danger of the shells carrying destruction and death into the 
crowded city beyond. 

At six minutes past five o'clock, when nearing Cflvite, there was a 
splash and roar, and two great jets of water wei-e thrown high in air 
ahead of the flagship. The fleet had come upon the first of the sub- 
marine mines. Of course it was possible and probable that the whole 
harbor was filled with torpedoes. At any moment they were liable to 
explode beneath the shij^s; but Commodore Dewey had foreseen this 
when he entered the bay, and it did not now cause him to change his 
plan.s. Moreover, he had fought with Farragut at New Orleans and at 
Mobile, and submarine mines had no teiTors for him. Contrary' to ex- 
pectation no moi'e mines exploded, and it is believed that no others had 
been jilaced by the Spaniard.s. We regarded these explosions as a sort 
of "bluff," intended to make us imagine that there might be other mines 
in front of Cavite. 

"They ain't so good at blowing up suips that come with their fighting 
clothes on as they are at murdering a crew in time of peace," said one 
of the Olympia's petty officers, as he saw the column r^f w'ater and smoke 
subsiding ahead of us; and this reference to the Maine showed w'hat 
was ui)permost in the minds of our men as they were moving on for their 
flrst chance to avenge the crime perpetrated in Havana last February. 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 41 



Squadron Formation for Battle. 

Steamino- at the comparatively slow speed of eight knots, our shipa 
approached Cavite. From the peak of each vessel and from every mast- 
head floated the "stars and stripes"— the largest regulation ensign being 
displayed. In the lead was, of course, the Olympia, followed by the 
Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Petrel, the Concord and the Boston, in the 
order named. The revenue cutter McCulloch and the merchant 
steamers attached to the squadron as coal carriers were ordered to keep 
well out of range in the bay, and they naturally did not try to come 
nearer. The warships had closed up to an interval of about two cables' 
lengths — say, 300 yards — and they held their respective positions with 
an accuracy that must have astonished Don Basilio Augustin Davila, the 
Spanish governor, who had told his people that our vessels were manned 
by men without training or discipline. 

Drawing on at this slow speed toward the enemy's line, I could not 
help recalling the lines of — I believe it's Southey : 

"Like leviathans afloat lay our bulwarjvs on the brine, 
While the sign of battle flew down the lofty British line — 

It was ten of April morn by the chime. 
As we drifted on our path, 
There was silence deep as death, 
And the boldest held his breath, 
For a time." 

Presently, we came near enough to distinguish the Spanish ships in 
the Bay of Cavite. Most prominently in view at first was a sort of 
cream-colored vessel, apparently at anchor. This we recognized as the 
Castilla. She was moored, head and stern, with her port battery to 
seaward, just outside the point of low land that makes out like a 
lobster's claw and protects the inner anchorage. Behind the Castilla, 
with all steam up and moving to and fro in the back bay, were the Reina 
Cristina, flagship, the Isla de Luzon, the Isla de Cuba, the Don Juan de 
Austria, the Don Antonio de Ulloa, the Marques del Duero, the General 
Lezo, the Argos, several torpedo boats and the transport Isla de Min- 
danao. The latter steamed away as fast as she could and was beached 



42 THE HATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

.some distaiK-e up the coast, whore she was burued by the (.'uncord later 
in the day. 

The Batteries Open Fire. 

Wheu we were at a distajiee of about 0,000 ^vards a puff of verj- white 
cloud arose from a clump of bushes on shore. It was a pretty sight, for 
the smoke floated away in fantastic shapes above the red clay shore and 
the bright green foliage. But for whom aboard our ships did that ap- 
parently harmless pillar of white mean death or mutilation? Within 
four .seconds we heard the scream of the shot, as it passed far over us, 
and we knew that the first gun in the battle of Manila, Bay had failed 
to do us any damage. Then the Spanisli flagship, taking a lesson prob- 
ably from the excessive elevation given to the shore gun, tired several 
times in (juick succession, Avith an aim as much too short as the battery's 
had been too high. Yet one or two of her i)rojeotiles passed between 
our masts on the I'ebound from the water. More puffs of llame from 
the shore in different places showed that the Spaniards were better 
protected than we had supposed. Soon all the Spanish vessels were 
aflame with rapid gun fire. Shell after shell flew close over our super- 
structure or skimmed past the head of our Commodore and his staff on 
our forward bridge. 

Still our coui-tly chief made no sign. In the usual service white 
uniform, wearing, however, a gray traveling cap on his head, having 
been unable to find his uniform cap after the guns in his cabin had been 
cleared for action, the Commodore paced the bridge, w'atching the 
enemy's hot fire as if he were a disinterested spectator of an unusual dis- 
play of fireworks. 

"Take her close along the .j-fatliom line, Mr. Calkins," he said to the 
navigator, "but be careful not to get her aground." 

The 5-fathom line is the curve of the coast outside of which the 
water is five fathoms deep. As the Olympia was drawing more tlian 
four fathoms, it was not safe to take her in closer. We had been ap- 
proaching the Spanisli line at an angle of about fifteen degrees and soon 
the shoaling of the water, as shown by repeated casts of the lead, called 
for a change of course. As the helm was put to port and the Olympia's 
men at the port battery began to get a view of their still distant enemies, 
they felt that the nunuent for which they so long had waited was at 
hand. No order to ojien fire had been given, but the experienced petty 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 43 

officers saw that the ship was uearing a range at which all our guns 
would be effective. 

Although at first the Spanish shots flew wild, after a time the gun- 
ners got a better range and the shells from both the batteries and the 
Spanish vessels began to strike near or burst close aboard the American 
ships. 

Officers on the Olympia's Bridge. 

All this time, with the exception of the shots from the Concord, the 
guns of the American fleet had remained inactive. The strain on our 
men was fearful, but they had confidence in their commodore and sub- 
mitted willingly to his judgment. The heat was intense, and stripped of 
all clothing except their trousers, the gimners stood silent and obedient 
at their posts. The Olympia might have been empty if the whirr of 
the blowers and the throb of the engines had not told of pulsating 
human life. On the forward bridge of the Olympia stood Commodore 
Dewej' surrounded by his staff. In this little group were Commander 
Lamberton, fleet captain; the executive ofiicer, Lieutenant Eees; Lieu- 
tenant Calkins, the navigator, who conned the ship admirably all 
through the battle, and the Commodore's aide, myself. It was consid- 
ered unwise to run the risk of losing all the senior officers by one shell, 
and therefore Captain Gridley was in the conning tower. 

Suddenly a shell burst directly over the center of the ship. As the 
projectile flashed over the head of the man who held the destiny of the 
fleet in his grasp, it became evident that the moment of activity had 
come. Even the powerful will of their leader could no longer restrain 
the surging war fever of the crew. A boatswain's-mate, who had been 
bending over, looking eagerly ahead with his hand on the lock string 
of the after 5-inch gun, spnmg up and cried out: "Boys, remember the 
Maine!" Instantly the watchword was repeated by the two hundred 
men at the guns. The hoarse shout was caught up in the turrets and 
fire rooms. It echoed successively through all the decks of the silent 
ship, till finally, in a sullen whisper, "Remember the Maine" stole up 
through the ventilators from the lowest parts of the hold to the officers 
on the bridge. There seemed to be no premeditation in the cry, but the 
explosion that wrecked the gallant Maine in Havana Harbor was the 
spark that fired the first gun in Manila Bay, as it was the flame that 



44 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

set blazing the righteous indignation of the American nation against 
the fruelty of Slpain to her oppressed colonies. 

Dewey Gives the Order to Fire. 

"You may fire when you are ready, Captain Gridley," said the Com- 
modore. This order sufficed, and at 5:41 o'clock in the morning, at a 
distance of tlirce miles, America roared forth her first battle ciy to Spain 
from the starboard 8-inch gun in the forward turret of the Olympia. 

The Baltimore and the Boston were not slow in following the ex- 
ample of the fiagship, and almost immediately their 8-inch guns were 
sending 250-pound shells toward the Castilla and the Reina Ci-istina. 
The battle now began to rage fierce and fast. Encouraged by the fact 
that the range, was too great for accuracy, and that the American gun- 
ners were obliged to guess the distance, the Spaniards fired more 
rapidly. Shots from their ship and shore guns came through the air in 
a screaming shower; time-fuse shells were constantly bursting about 
the American fleet, and their fragments, scattering in all directions, 
would strike the water like shrapnel or cut the hull and rigging (if 
the ships. 

The Olympia was the target for most of the Spanish guns, because 
she was the flagship and because she steered directly for the center of 
the Spanish line. One shell struck close by a gun in the ward room. 
The signal halyards were cut from Lieutenant Brumby's hand, as he 
stood on the after bridge. One great projectile, with almost human in- 
tuition, came straight toward the forward bridge, but burst less than 
a iiundred feet away. A fragment cut the rigging directly over tlii^ 
licads of Commander Lambertou and myself. Another struck the 
bridge railings in line with us, and still another, about as large as a 
flat iron, gouged ii hole in tlie deck a few feet below the Commodore. 

Narrow Escapes Aboard the Baltimore. 

The Baltimore's crew had several narrow escapes. One shot struck 
her and passed through her, but fortunately hit no one. Another 
ripped up her main deck, disabled one G-inch gun, and exploded a couple 
of 8-pounder shells, wounding eight men. This shell is worthy of 
special notice on account of its eccentric actions. It came undoubtedly 



I 



THE BATTLE OP MANILA BAY. 45 

from the Cauacao battery and entered about two feet above the upper 
deck, on the starboard side, between the after 6-inch gun and the 
3-pounder mounted on the rail. After piercing two plates of steel, each 
one-quarter of an inch thick, it struck the deck and penetrated till it 
cracked one of the heavy deck beams clear through. Bounding up- 
ward it tore its way through the steel combing of the engine room sky- 
light, and again passed through two quarter-inch plates. Leaving the 
skylight, it ranged forward, struck the recoil cylinder of the port 6-inch 
gun on the quarter deck and disabled the carriage. It at last met the 
steel shield curved in front of the gun. This was strong enough to 
resist the attack, and the shell followed the curve of the shield until 
it was traveling in exactly the opposite direction to what had been 
its former course. It again crossed the ship to the starboard side, 
where it struck a ventilator and stopped. This shell was the cause of 
wounding two officers and six men by exploding the two 3-pounder shells 
mentioned; but directly, it injured no one, and its course was one of 
'the most remarkable on record. 

The Boston received a shell in her port quarter. It burst in Ensign 
Doddridge's stateroom and caused a hot fire, as did also one that burst 
in the port hammock netting; but both these fires were quickly ex- 
tinguished. One shell passed through the Boston's foremast, just in 
front of Captain Wildes on the bridge. The entire battle was a series 
of incidents of this sort and the wonder is that they were no more than 
incidents. 

Scenes on Shipboard. 

Even now, when the Spaniards had brought all their guns into 
action, the Americans had not yet responded with all their strength. 
Commodore Dewey was reserving his force. The men naturally chafed 
at this continued restraint, but they laughed and joked good naturedly 
among themselves. Sometimes, when a shell would burst close aboard 
or would strike the water and pass overhead, with the peculiar sputter- 
ing noise characteristic of the tumbliug of a rifled projectile, some of 
the more neiwous would dodge mechanically. 

At a distance of 4,000 yards, owing to her deep draught, the Com- 
modore was obliged to change his course and run the Olympia parallel 
to the Spanish column. At last, as she brought her port broadside 
toward the foe. Commodore Dewey said: 



46 TUE UATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

"Open with all the guns," and the roar that went forth shook the 
vessel from end to end. The battle was indeed on. Above the snarling 
of the Olynipia's 5-inch rapid-firers was heard the prolonged growl of 
her turret 8-inchors. The other ships joined iu, and ('avite Ilar'jor was 
no longer comfortable for the Spaniards. 

It is almost imi»ossible to describe the situation at this moment. 
War has been always fearful, but the confusiou and hoiTor of modern 
warfare can only be understood b^- an eye witiu'ss. The roar of the 
guns of to-day and the horrors resulting from their powerful shells can 
best be left to the imagination of those who have not actually been in 
battle and seen the effects of their deadly work. And even to those 
aboard the American fleet that day, the fearful event was not known to 
its limit till later; for the scenes of carnage and death were upon the 
Spanish side. 

A Word of Praise For the Spaniards. 

As has before been stated the disastrous defeat of tiie Spaniards was 
not owing to cowardice on their part. Their position was a strong one, 
owing to the protection of the shore batteries and the shallow water 
that guarded them from the danger of a close attack. Tliey were fight- 
ing gallantly, and the fire from the ships sailing back and forth behind 
the Castilla was hot. 

The American fleet had made four runs along the Spanish line, when, 
finding the chart incorrect. Lieutenant Calkins told the Commodore he 
believed he could take the ship nearer the enemy. Carefully watch- 
ing the depth of the water, as shown by the lead, the Olympia started 
over the course for the fifth time and ran within 2,000 yards of the 
Sjianish vessels, a range so close that now even the (t-pouuders were 
clTective. A storm of sliells poured upon the Spauiai'ds, but, a.s far as 
the Americans could see, they had not yet been cripi)led to any great 
extent. Matters were not particularly cheerful on board the Olympia. 
Many of our projectiles had seemed to go too high or too low, as had 
those of the Spaniards, and several times the Admiral had expressed 
dissatisfaction. He now gave the order to haul off into the open bay, 
in order to take stock of ammunition, which was in danger of running 
short, and to jilan a new attack. It would never have done to admit this 
state of affairs to the men, so the scheme was devised of making break- 
fast the cause of the ces.satiou of hostilities. 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 47 



Prefer Fighting to Breakfast. 

The interruption was not welcomed joyfully, however. As the ships 
drew away, the temper of the men was well shown by the almost tearful 
appeal of one gun captain to Commander Lamberton : 

"For God's sake. Captain," he cried, "don't stop now! Let's finish 'em 
up right off. 

As the action ceased the other ships passed the flagship and cheered 
lustily. The fight had now lasted about two hours and a half, when for 
about four houi-s hostilities were suspended and the fleet lay inactive in 
the center of the bay. During this time it was found that there re- 
mained in the magazines of the Olympia only 85 rounds of 5-inch am- 
munition, and that the stock of S-inch charges was sufficiently depleted 
to make another two hours' fighting impossible. The Baltimore was 
discovered to have the best supply, so when, at 10:50 o'clock, the sig-nal 
for close action went up again, she was given the place of honor in the 
lead, the Olympia following and the other ships as before. As the 
Baltimore began firing at the Spaniards at 11:16 o'clock she made a 
series of hits as if at target practice. 

In this second attack the Spaniards replied very slowly, chiefly from 
their shore guns. The Americans now recognized the results of their 
morning-'s work, for the Spanish flagship and the Castilla were burning 
fiercely, and we had heard the explosion of the magazines on board the 
Reina Cristina. For some reason the Castilla did not blow up, although 
she burned fiercely as late as Monday night. This was undoubtedly due 
to the fact that her magazines had been flooded before she was aban- 
doned by her crew. Commodore Dewey now signalled the Raleigh, the 
Boston, the Concord and the Petrel to go into the inner harbor and 
destroy all the enemy's ships. 

Notable Work of the Petrel. 

The work of the little Petrel, Commander E. P. Wood, commanding, 
is worthy of special mention. Her draught was so light that she was 
able to approach within 1,000 yards. From this close range she com- 
manded everything flying the Spanish flag and fired with the gi-eatest 
accuracy. Lieutenant E. M. Hughes, with an armed boat's crew, set fire 



48 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY, 

to the Don Juan <le Austria, the Marques del Duero and the Isla de 
Cuba. The hirjie transport Manila and many tug boats and small craft 
were also captured. The other ships did their duty as well, and soon 
not a red and j-ellow ensign remained aloft, except one fluttering from a 
battery far up the coast. The Don Antonio de Ulloa was the last ves- 
sel to be abandoned. She at last lurched over and sank. The Spanish 
flag on the arsenal was hauled down at 12:30, the white flag was hoisted 
in its place, and the power of the Sj»anish Dons in the Philippines was 
at an end. 

Commodore Dewey closed the day by anchoring off the City of 
Manila, and sending word to the Governor-General that the port was 
blockaded and that if a shot was fired at the American fleet from 
Manila, the city would be laid in ashes. He also sent word that he 
wished to use the cable to Ilong Kong, but no reply to this demand was 
ever received. 

The Commodore had been ordered to capture or destroy the Spanish 
squadron, and instructions were never more effectively carried out. 
Within seven hours after arriving on the scene of action nothing re^ 
niained to be done. 

Humorous Incidents of the Battle. 

Some of the incidents that came under my notice before and after tlm 
battle had features of humor as well as of interest. 

One man named Purdy, a privileged character, because he had 
served in the navy forty or fifty years, was noticed by Commodoi'e 
Dewey on Saturday to be making a pretense of finding something to do 
on the port side of the upper deck, where his duties did not call him. 

As the Commodore was familiar with the ways of old seamen, he 
saw that Purdj^ had something on his mind, and said: 

"Well, Purdy, what is it?" 

"I hope, sir," said Purdy, saluting, "that ye don't intend to fight on 
the 3d of May " 

"And why not?" asked (lie Commodore. 

"Ye see, sir," said the old man, seriously, "I got licked tiie last time 
I fought on the 3d of May." 

Purdy had gone to defeat at Chancellorsville under "Fighting Joe" 
Hooker. 




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THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 53 

"All right, Purely," said the Commodore, "we won't fight on the 3d; 
but when we do fight, you'll have another kind of May anniversary to 
think about; remember that, my man." 

The Commodore knew positively when his attack would be made; 
for ho had resolved to allow nothing to delay him. He knew the exact 
distance to Manila and the speed his squadron would make; hence, on 
the afternoon of our sailing from Mirs Bay, he told me that the battle 
would take place on Sunday, May 1st. 

How the Admiral Appointed His Aide 

As a non-combatant, I felt that I had a right to no privileges except 
those granted me by the Admiral. On Saturday I asked him if I might 
be allowed a position on the forward bridge, if a battle should be 
fought. 

He answered: "I think you'll be satisfied." After the council of 
war, wlien the officers had returned to their respective ships, he sent 
for me to come to the quarter deck, and said: "Mr. Stickney, Mr. 
Caldwell [his naval secretary] has volunteered for duty at the guns, and 
I have decided to appoint you my aide. You will take station with me 
on the for-w^ard bridge." He paused and then added with a quizzical 
twinkle in his eye: "Satisfied?" 

During the first hour of the fight, as I stood near him on the bridge, 
I saw a torpedo boat come creeping out from behind Saugley Point and 
called his attention to her. 

"l^ou look after her," he answered; "I have no time to bother with 
torpedo boats. Let me know Avhen you've finished her." 

Her commander must have been ignorant of modern guns or utterly 
indifferent to death, for not till twice hit by the secondary battery, did 
this daring craft turn back and reach the beach just in time to save her 
crew from drowning. 

In a case where every vessel was as efficient as were the ^Vmerican 
ships during the battle of Manila, it is difficult to draw distinctions, 
but when they passed each other close aboard, after the action, the 
heartiest cheers, after those for the Commodore, were those given for 
the little Petrel. 



54 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

Casualties of the Battle. 

The only Americans wounded were on board the Baltimore — eight in 
number, all slightly, except two men, each of whom had a leg broken. 
As each cai>taiu reported on the flagship, he was eagerh- asked: "How 
many killed?'' And while each man could not conceal his satisfaction 
at the condition of his ship and crew, he was also desirous that this 
should be understood to be no proof that he had not been in danger. It 
was feared that some casualties might have taken place on the Boston, 
as she had been on fire, but her report was equally satisfactory, and the 
men on the Olympia cheered loudly. 

Nevertheless, there was great suffering among our men during the 
fight, owing to the terrific heat, and some of those shut up below would 
undoubtedly' have succumbed had it not been for the excitement of 
battle. 

In the arsenal grounds a number of bodies of Spaniards were found 
uuburied on Monday morning. A Roman Catholic priest was called in 
to read the burial service. The bodies presented a horrible sight. The 
head of one had been almost wholly carried away by a shell. Another 
bad been struck in the stomach by a large projectile which had cut 
everything away to the backbone. One very large man, apparently an 
officer, was not only mangled but swollen out of all proportion to his 
real size. To add to the horror several lean, wolf-like dogs had already 
visited the scene. 

The victory in Manila Bay was one of the most remarkable in the 
history of the world. Not an American was killed, and at night, after 
the battle, every American ship was fit to go into a similar action on 
the succeeding day. The result was almost incomprehensible, but it is 
probably what may be expected in all the affairs of life, where coolness 
and wisdom hold the balance against bravado and ineilicieucy. 

Admiral Dewey's Official Report. 

The following is the account of the battle of Manila sent ])y Admiral 
Dewey to the navy department at Washington. It was not made public 
until June 14th: 

"Flagship Olympia, Cavite, May 4, J 898. 

"The sipiadron left Mirs Bay on A])ril 27th. Arrived off Bolinao on 
till' morning of Ai>ril ;5()th, and, tindiiig no vessels there, proceeded down 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 55. 

the coast and arrived off the entrance to Manila Bay on the same after- 
noon. The Boston and Concord Avere sent to reconnoitre Port 8ubig. 
A thorough search of the port was made by the Boston and the Con- 
cord, but the Spanish fleet was not found. 

"Entered the south channel at half-past eleven p. m., steaming in 
column at eight knots. After half the squadron had passed, a battery 
on the south side of the channel opened fire, none of the shots taking 
effect. The Boston and the Concord returned the fire. The squadron 
proceeded across the bay at slow speed, arrived off Manila at daybreak, 
and was fired upon at a quarter past five a. m. by three batteries at 
Manila and two near Cavite, also by the Spanish fleet anchored in an 
approximately east and west line across the mouth of Bakor Bay, with 
their left in shoal water in Cafiacao Bay. 

"The squadron then proceeded to the attack, the flagship Olympia, 
under my personal direction, leading, followed at a distance by the 
Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Petrel, the Concord and the Boston, in the 
order named, which formation was maintained throughout the action. 
The squadron opened flre at nineteen minutes of six a. m. While ad- 
vancing to the attack two mines exploded ahead of the flagship too far 
to be effective. 

"The squadron maintained a continuous and precise fire, at ranges 
varying from 5,000 to 2,000 yards approximately parallel to that of the 
Spanish fleet. The enemy's fire was vigorous but generally ineffective. 

"Early in the engagement, two launches put out toward the Olympia 
with the apparent intention of using torpedoes. One was sunk and the 
other disabled by our fire and beached before an opportunity occuii'ed 
to fire torpedoes. 

Driving the Reina Cristina Back. 

"At seven a. m. the Spanish fiagship, Reina Cristina, made a des- 
perate attempt to leave the line and come out to engage at short range, 
but was received with such galling fire, the entire battery of the 
Olympia being concentrated upon her, that she was barely able to I'eturn 
to the shelter of the point. Fires started in her by our shells at this 
time were not extinguished until she sank. 

"The three batteries at Manila had kept up a continuous fire from the 
beginning of the engagement, which fire was not returned by this 



56 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

squadron. The first of these batteries was situated ou the south mole 
head, at the entrance to the Pasig EiA^er; the second, on the south 
bastion of the walled citj- of Manila, and the third at Malate, about one- 
half mile further south. 

"At this point I sent a message to the Governor-General to the effect 
that if the batteries did not cease firing the citj^ would be shelletl. This 
had the effect of silencing them. 

"At twenty-five minutes to eight a. m. I ceased firing and withdrew 
the squadron for breakfast. At sixteen minutes past eleven a. m. re- 
turned to the attack. By this time, the Spanish flagship and almost the 
entire Spanish fleet were in flames. 

"At half-past twelve p. m. the squadron ceased firing, tlie batteries 
being silenced and the ships sunk, burnt and deserted. At twentj^ min- 
utes to one p. m. the squadron returned and anchored off Manila, the 
Petrel being left behind to complete the destruction of the smaller gun- 
boats, which were behind the point of Cavite. This duty was per- 
formed by Commander E. P. Wood in the most expeditious and com- 
plete manner possible. 

Vessels Lost by the Enemy. 

"The Spanish lost the following vessels: Sunk, Reina Cristina, Cas- 
tilla, Don Antonio de Ulloa. Burnt, Don Juan de Austria, Isla de 
Luzon, Isla de Cuba, General Lezo, Marques del Duero, El Correo, 
Velasco and Isla de Mindanao (transport). Captured, TJapido and Iler- 
cules (tugs) and several small launches. 

"I am unable to obtain complete accounts of the enemy's killed and 
WDUuded, but believe their losses to be very heavy. The Reina Ci-istina 
alone had 150 killed — including the captain — and ninety AA-ouudod. 

"I am hapjiy to report that the damage done to the squadron under 
my command was inconsiderable. There were none killed, and only 
seven men in the squadron very slightly wounded. 

"Several of the vessels Avere struck, and eA'en penetrated, but the 
damage Avas of the slightest, and the squadron is in as good condition 
noAV as before the battle. 

"I l)eg to .state to the department that I doubt if any commauder- 
iii(irKl was ever served by more loyal, efficient and gallant captains 
than those of the s(juadron now under my command. 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 57 

"Captain Frank Wildes, connnandins- the Boston, volunteered to re- 
main in command of his vessel, althoni!,Ii his relief arrived before leavinfj; 
Hong' Kong. Assistant Surgeon Kiudleberger, of the Olympia, and 
Gunner J. C. Evans, of the Boston, also volunteered to remain after 
orders detaehing them had arrived. 

The Commodore's Staff. 

"The conduct of my personal staff was excellent. Commander B. P. 
Lamberton, chief of staff, was a volunteer for that position, and gave 
me most excellent assistance, and Lieutenant Brumby, flag lieutenant, 
and Ensign W. P. Scott, aide, performed their duties as signal officers in 
a highly creditable manner. 

"The Olympia being short of officers for the battery, Ensign H. H. 
Caldwell, flag secretary, volunteered for and was assigned to a sub- 
division of the 5-inch battery. 

"Mr. J. L. Stickney, formerly an oflicer in the United States navy, and 
now correspondent for the New York Herald, volunteered for duty as my 
aide and rendered valuable services. 

"I desire specially to mention the coolness of Lieutenant C. G. 
Calkins, the navigator of the Olympia, who came under my personal 
observation, being on the bridge with me throughout the entire action, 
and giving the ranges to the guns with an accuracy that was proven by 
the excellency of the firing. 

"On May 2, the day following the engagement, the squadron again 
went to Cavite, where it remains. 

"On the 3d the military forces evacuated the Cavite arsenal, which 
was taken possession of by a landing part3^ On the same day the Ea- 
leigh and Baltimore secured the surrender of the batteries on Corregidor 
Island, paroling the garrison and destroying the guns. On the morning 
of May 4 the transport Manila, which had been aground in Bakor Bay, 
was towed off and made a prize." 

Captain Gridley's Account of the Battle. 

Below is a short account of the Battle of Manila, given by Captain 
Gridley of the flagship Olympia, who bore a conspicuous part in the 
battle, and died about a month afterward. 



58 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

"My Dear Mother: 

"Excuse pencil, but I am writinc; on the deck aft, under the awning, 
and ink is not handy. Well, 'vve have won a splendid victory over the 
Spaniards. We left Ilong Kong on April 25, Mirs Bay, April 27, and 
arrived off Manila Bay at midnight on April 30. We steamed in with 
our lights all out, and by daylight we were off Manila, where we found 
the Spanish fleet, or rather, at Cavite, seven miles from Manila. We 
attacked them at once, the Olympia leading, and, being flagship, she was 
of coarse the principal target, but we (our fleet) were too much for them, 
and after fighting two and a half hours, hauled off for breakfast, 
giving them another hour of it afterward. We succeeded in burning, 
sinking and destroying their entire force. They were also assisted by 
shore batteries. Their loss was very heavy, one ship, the Oastilla, 
losing i;{0 killed, including the captain. 

"And now as to ourselves. We did not lose a man in our whole 
fleet, and had only six wounded, and none of them seriously. It seems 
a miracle. Everybody fought like heroes, as they are. The Olympia 
was struck seven or eight times, but only slightly injured, hardly worth 
speaking of. 

"Stickney, New York Herald correspondent, and a former naval 
officer, was on board by permission of the department and acted during 
the battle as Dewey's secretary. His account in the Herald will be full 
and complete, so you had better get it. His reports will go in the same 
mail as this. 

"We have cut the cable and can only communicate via Hong Kong. 
The McCulloch will go over in a day or two, carrying Commodore 
Dewey's disi)atches and this mail and bringing our mail I hope. I 
am truly lliaiiktiii td «iur Heavenly Father for His protection during our 
haltlc, and shall give Ilim daily thanks. Manila, of course, we have 
blockaded. We can't take the city, as we have no troops to hold it. 

"(Jive my love to all and accept a huge share for yourself. 

"Your loving son, 

"CHARLEY." 

Captain Gridley did not mention his own part in the great battle, an 
indication of modesty characteristic of this brave officer and most 
lovable man 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 59 



From the Spanish Point of View. 

The followiug- is the story of the Battle of Manila from the Spanish 
standpoint. It was published in the Diario de Manila, the leading news- 
paper of the city, on May 4, the first time it was issued after the de- 
struction of the Spanish fleet: 

"When the enemy's squadron was sighted in perfect line of battle 
through the clouds of the misty dawn on the morning of May 1, gloom 
and surprise were general among the people of Manila. 

"At last these ships had strained their boldness to the point of ap- 
pearing on our coasts and defying our batteries, which showed more 
courage and valor than effect when they opened fire upon the squadron. 

"It needs something more than courage to make projectiles pene- 
trate, indeed it does. The inequality of our batteries, compared with 
those of the American squadron which alarmed the inhabitants of 
Manila at five o'clock in the morning, was enough to transform the tran- 
quil character of our tropical temperament. 

"While ladies and children in carriages or on foot fled in fright to 
seek refuge in the outlying suburbs and adjacent villages around the 
capital from the dangers multiplied by their imaginations, every man, 
from the most stately personage to the most humble workman, mer- 
chants, mechanics, Spaniards, natives, soldiers, civilians, all, we repeat, 
sought their stations and put on their anus, confident that never should 
the enemy land at Manila unless he passed over their corpses. 

Superior Strength of Americans. 

"Although from the first moment the strength of the enemy's armor 
and the power of his guns demonstrated that his ships were invulner- 
able to our energies Und our armaments, the hostile squadron would 
never have entered our bay had not its safety been guaranteed by its 
manifest superiority. 

"The city walls, the church towers, the tops of the high buildings and 
all the high places convenient for observation, were occupied by those 
who were not retained by their military duties within the walls, on the 
bridges or at the advanced posts. 



(50 THE BATTLE OF JIANILA BAY, 

"The slightest details of the enemy's ships were eagerly noted as they 
advanced toward Cavite, in a line parallel with the beaches of Manila, 
as though they had just come out of Pasig River. 

"There were no gaps in the line, but the curious public hardly realized 
the disparity between their great guns and the pieces mounted on our 
fortilications. Some had glasses and others were without, but all 
seemed to discern with their eyes these strangers, who, while brave, were 
not called upon to show their courage, since the range of their guns and 
the weakness of our batteries enabled them to preserve immunity, while 
doing us as much harm as they pleased. 

"All who appreciated the impunity with which the hostile ships man- 
oeuvered, as if on a harmless parade, were full of such rage and desper- 
ation as belong to a brave man who can make no use of his courage 
and to whom there remains no remedy except an honorable death rather 
than cowardly inactivity. 

Wishing for a Fight Ashore. 

"A soldier of the tir»it battalion of Cazadores gazed at the squadron 
sweeping over the waters out of reach of the fire of our batteries and 
then turned toward Heaven saying: 'If the Holy Mary would turn that 
sea into land the Yankees would find out how we can charge in double 
time.' And a crouching native, staring at the ships, said: Must let 
them come ashore and give us a whack at them.' 

"On they stood at full speed, in column of battle, heading for 
Cavite, with a decision due to a sense of safety and a firm assurance of 
success. For more than an hour and a half the bombardment held in 
suspense those whose souls followed the unequal struggle in which a 
Sjianish ship went down with glorious banners tlying. 

"\Vhat was going on in the waters of Cavite? From Manila we saw 
through glasses two squadrons almost mingled in clouds of smoke. 
This was not a triumph for our side, considering the weakness of our 
batteries, for once alongside the enemy the cry of 'boai'ders away' and 
the fiash nf cold steel might have enabled our devoted seamen to disturb 
the calmness in which the watches and instruments were regulating and 
directing those engines of destruction. 

"In the blindness of our rage how can we paint the heroic deeds of 
prowess or the wave of valor which burst forth from the men of Tvar? 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. Qh 

Those who fought beneath the Spanish flag bore themselves like men, 
as the chosen sons of our native land who dare measure forces and not 
yield to a superior force in the hands of the enemy, who rather die with- 
out ships than live in ships which have surrendered. 

"To name those who distinguished themselves in the battle would 
require the publication of the entire muster rolls of our ships from 
captain to cabin boy. To these victorious seamen of ours we offer our 
congratulations; laurels for the living and prayers for the dead, and for 
all our deepest gratitude. 

Enthusiastic Spectators. 

"When the hostile squadron turned toward Cavite the crew of the 
steamer Mindanao heard drums beating to quarters and answered with 
enthusiasm with three rounds of cheers for the King, for the Queen 
Regent, and for Spain, which was echoed along our line. 

'TLiater and until a quarter to five o'clock absolute silence reigned. 
Everything was ready. The idea of death was lost in the ardor for the 
fray, and every eye was fixed on the battle flags waving at our mast- 
heads in perfect and majestic order. Why should we deny this? 

"The nine Yankee ships advanced in battle array. The Olympia, 
bearing the Admiral's flag, led the column, followed bj' the other ships, 
steering at full speed toward Cavite, 

"The Olympia opened fire, and an instant reply came from the bat- 
tery on the mole, w^hich kept on firing at five-minute intervals, while the 
ironclad shaped her course for the Ci'istina and the Castilla. Into 
both of these she poured a steady and rapid fire, seconded by the ships 
which followed in her wake. 

"Another ship which directed a heavy fire on our line was the Balti- 
more, and so the cannonade went on until a quarter to eight. 

"At that moment the Juan de Austria advanced against the enemy 
intending to board the Olympia, and if a tremendous broadside had not 
stopped her self-devoted charge both ships might perhaps have sunk to 
the bottom. 

"The captain of the Cristina, seeing that the resolute attempt of his 
consort had failed, advanced at full speed until within about two hun- 
dred yards of the Olympia, aiming to ram her. 



Gi THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 

Did Not Like Our Shells. 

"Then a shower of projectiles swept over the bridge and decks, filling 
the .ship with dead and wounded. A dense column of smoke from the 
bow compartment showed that incendiary projectiles, such as the law of 
( Jtod and man prohibits, had set fire to the cruiser. 

"The ship, still keeping up her fire on the enemy, withdrew toward 
the arsenal, where she was sunk to keep her from falling into the 
hands of the Yankees. The desperation of the men of the Cristina was 
aggravated by the sight of the Castilla, wliifh was also in a blaze from 
the similar use of incendiary projectiles. 

'•'The principal ships of our little squadron having thus been put 
out of action, the Yankee vessels, some of them badly crippled by the 
fire of our ships and the batteries of Point Sangley, stood out toward the 
entrance of the bay, ceasing their fire and occupying themselves with re- 
pairing their injuries until ten o'clock, when they began a second attack 
to complete their work of destruction. 

"In this second assault the fire at the arsenal was extinguished, and 
they continued to cannonade the blazing gunboats. One gunboat, 
which seemed to have nothing more venturesome to undertake, detached 
herself from the squadron and set herself to riddle the mail steamer 
Mindanao. 

"Now that his ships were in flames Admiral Moutojo, who had shown 
his flag as long as there was a vessel afloat, landed, and the hostilities 
ceased. 

"The only Spanish ship which had not been destroyed by fire or by 
the enemy's projectiles sank herself so that she could in no wise be 
taken. 

"The killed are: The captain, chaplain, clerk and boatswain of the 
Cristina, the captains of the Castilla and the Ulloa, the executive ofKicer 
and chief engineer and second surgeon of the Cristina, a lieutenant of 
the Juan de Austria, the j^aymaster of the T'lloa and the chief engineer 
of the Juan de Austria. 

"That battery that did most haj-m to the enemy was one ou 
Sangley Point, made up of Ilontoria guns. From one of these came a 
shot which the Boston received, wiiile four ships, which had altogether 
sixty-five guns, were pouring their fire on this battery to reduce it to 
silence. 



THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 65 

Praise for Spanish Gunners. 

"One gun having been crippled, the other kept on playing, firing 
whenever damage could be done and avoiding waste of ammunition. To 
one of its shots must be attributed the hurt which turned the Baltimore 
from the fight. This gun must have greatly annoyed the Yankees, to 
judge by the efforts they made to silence its fire, following it up till six 
gunnel's had been killed and four wounded. 

"On tills account it is proposed to demand the bestowal of laurel 
wreathed crosses of San Fernando on the valiant gunners who served 
this battery. 

"The Luneta battery at Manila, which assailed the Yankee ships with 
much vigor, was the object of the enemy's special attention, as he stood 
past the fortifications of Manila, heading for Cavite. Guns were also 
mounted at the entrance to the bay, on Corregidor and Caballo Islands, 
on El Fraile Rock, on the south shore at Point Restigua, and at Mari- 
veles, Punta Gorda and Point Gasisi, on the north shore. 

"The guns on Corregidor Island were about six inches in caliber, sim- 
ilar to the guns mounted on the rock and on Point Restigua. Other 
batteries had guns of smaller caliber and of short range. 

"Doubtless the civil commission arranged to obtain supplies for 
the city, but it is certain that since Sunday there has been a great 
scarcity of everything, and speculators have got what prices they cared 
to ask for articles of prime necessity. 

"The great masses of the rural population of the Philippines, as well 
as the leaders of the nation, have responded like loyal sons of Spain, 
sharing our pains and assisting our labors. 

"Admiral Montojo has received a telegram of congratulation from 
the Minister of Marine, who in his own name, and in the name of the 
Queen Regent of Spain, felicitates the navy of this archipelago for its 
gallant behavior on the day of the Cavite battle in these terms: 'Honor 
and glory to the Spanish fleet which fought so heroically on that day!' " 



CHAPTER III. 

AFTER THE BATTLE. 

Receiving the Surrender of Cavite Arsenal — Quibbles and Evasions to Meet — 
A Case for Haste — Journey to Hong Kong to Send Dispatches — Cap- 
ture of the Callao — Routine of Blockade Dut.y in Manila Bay — Arrival 
of Aguinaldo from Hong Kong — Establishing a Government at Cavite 
— Three Important Proclamations — Filipino ^'ictories over the Spanish 
— Their Treatment of Spanish Prisoners — Insurgents Invest Manila. 

Early on the morning after the battle Commodore Dewey ordered 
Commander Lamberton and myself to go to Cavite arsenal and take pos- 
session. As the white liag had been hoisted the day before, in token 
of complete surrender, this shonld have been a mere formality; but it 
was soon proved to us that no dependence can be placed in the Spaniard. 
Aware of the treacherous character of the Spanish people, Commander 
Lamberton, before leaving the Petrel, which had brought us over from 
the Olympia, ordered Commander Wood to keep his men at the guns, 
and to open fire upon the arsenal if we should not return within an hour. 
It v»-as then exactly nine o'clock. When we had approached within five 
hundred yards we discovered that the arsenal was still occupied by 
fvbout eight hundred Spanish infanteria do marina (corresponding to our 
marines), all armed with Mauser magazine rifles. 

Admiral Montojo, having been wounded, had been carried to Manila, 
and Captain Sostoa of the Spanish navy, next in rank to the Ad- 
miral, was in command. This gentleman met us at the wharf and took 
us to the arsenal headquarters, together with Lieutenant A. N. Wood, 
of the Petrel, who had accompanied us. We had no sooner reached the 
place, than it was surrounded by an armed guard. 

Dealing with Spanish OfiB.cers. 

"Why," a.sked Captain Lamberton, "do we find the arsenal filled with 
armed men, when the white fiag was run up yesterday, in token of com- 
plete surrender?" 

M 



AFTER THE BATTLE. 67 

With much suavity aud the manuer of a man Avhose actions have 
beeu completeh- misunderstood, Captain Sostoa replied in Spanish: 

"We hoisted the white flag yesterday only that we might have time 
to remove the women and children to a place of safety." 

Commander Lamberton answered: "That is not the construction 
we Americans put upon an action of that kind. When the Spanish 
colors were lowered, and the white flag raised in their place, we under- 
stood it to mean but one thing — unconditional surrender. Moreover, 
the women and children should not have beeu here anyhow. They 
should have beeu removed to a place of safety before the fight began." 

"But," replied Captain Sostoa, "we did not have time to do that. 
If the Americans had not come so early in the morning affairs could 
have been arranged differently." 

Commander Lamberton reminded him that the Spaniards had fired 
the first shot. 

"However," he continued, "we are not here to waste time in discuss- 
ing past events. I come as Admiral Dewey's representative, to take 
possession of the arsenal. The Spaniards here must surrender as 
prisoners of war, or our ships will again open fire." 

"But I am not at liberty to submit to these terms," said Captain 
Sostoa. "Such an act is not in my power, and I must consult my 
superior officers before I take so important a step." 

Commander Lamberton, comprehending the subterfuge, answered: 
"We refuse to recognize any authority other than that of the senior 
officer stationed at this post. You are that man and must immediately 
comply with Admiral Dewey's conditions." 

The Conditions of Surrender. 

Seeing that further delay was useless. Captain Sostoa requested that 
the terms of surrender might be put down in writing. Accordingly I 
wrote the following: 

"Without further delay all Spanish officers and men must be with- 
drawn and no buildings nor stores must be injured. Admiral Dewey 
does not wish to continue hostilities with the Spanish naval forces. 
The Spanish officers will be paroled, and the forces at the arsenal must 
deliver up all their small arms." 

Again Captain Sostoa pleaded for delay. We had been so absorbed 



68 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

in the discussion that we had not noted the amount of time we had 
already spent at the arsenal, but I suddenly remembered the orders that 
had been left with the Petrel to fire in an hour if before that we had not 
returned to the wharf. As it was within only a few minutes of the 
limit it is needless to say that we considered it advisable to cut the dis- 
<-ussion short and get away before we should be exposed to the Petrel's 
shells. 

Commander Lamberton then gave Captain Sostoa two hours in which 
to act, but said: "If the white flag of unconditional surrender is not 
again hoisted before noon, hostilities will be reopened." 

We then hurried back to the Petrel and started across the bay to 
give our report to the Commodore. 

The white flag was raised at 10:45 o'clock, but the Spaniards did not 
carry out their agreement to the letter. When we went in the after- 
noon to take possession, we found that every seaman and marine had 
been marched off the Cavite peninsula to the mainland and had carried 
his Mauser rifle with him. 

During the evening of the same day in which we made our trij) to 
the Spanish arsenal Admiral Dewey sent the merchantship Zaflro a 
short distance down the bay to cut the cable. We wei'e not able to use 
it, as we had no instruments with which to work it, and the Governor 
would not permit the cable company to transmit our messages from 
the regular station in Manila. 

After the destruction of the Spanish fleet, Commodore Dewey moored 
his squadron in the bay just off the end of Sangley Point, near Cavite. 
On May 5th he sent the dispatch boat McCulloch to Ilong Kong with dis- 
])atches for the government, and I took passage in her in order to 
send my cable messages to the newspaper with which I was then 
Connected. 

The Callao Runs into a Hot Place. 

A few days later the little Spanish gunboat Calhio came into Manila 
P.ay flying the Spiuiish flag in the face of our whole fleet, and, when 
t\\(i (ir tlircc (if (lur vessels began popping away at lier with their 
(i[)ouuders, she ])aid no attention to this unusual recejjtion but steamed 
right on toward the Olympia as though indifferent to results. But 
when one of our shells ripped her awning clear across from one side of 
the little craft to the other, Lieutenant Pan, wlio commanded the 



AFTEE THE BATTLE. G9 

Callao, began to think there was something dangerous in our vessels. 
Then the "stars and stripes" at the peak or flagstaff of each of our ships 
caught his eye, and he hauled down his colors to lind out what it all 
meant. lie said afterward that he supposed he had got in the range 
of some of his own vessels engaged in target practice. He had been 
cruising for several months in the southern part of the archipelago and 
had not known that there was even talk about the possibility of war 
between the United States and Spain. 

When the McCulloch arrived in Hong Kong, May 7th, and the news 
of Dewey's great victory was made public in the United States, the ex- 
citement reached siich a height that we who were so far awaj- could not, 
until long afterward, comprehend why our people at home should have 
been so much moved. Immediately the President promoted Commodore 
Dewey to be a rear admiral, and when the McCXilloch arrived in Manila 
Bay on Tuesday, May 10th, the broad blue flag bearing two white stars 
was hoisted at the Olympia's mainmast head, and a salute of thirteen 
guns was fired by every warship in the bay, including the French 
cruiser Bruix and the British cruiser Immortality, which had arrived in 
the bay two or three days after the battle. 

Life During the Bloc&ade. 

Admiral Dewey was now blockading the Bay of Manila, but was 
making no hostile demonstration against the city. In fact, there was 
an unexpressed understanding that, if the fleet did not fire at the city, 
the forts would not fire at the fleet. But there was no reason why this 
nominal armistice should continue any longer than it suited the con- 
venience or the interests of either of the combatants, and therefore we 
had to be prepared to meet any form of attack at all hours of the- -•irf or 
night. Torpedoes might have been used with a considerable hope of 
success against our vessels if we had relaxed our vigilance in the least. 
Consequently we were always on the alert. At this time I wrote the 
following account of the usual routine of each night aboard the ships of 
our squadron: 

"Dead calm is over the whole sheet of water that stretches between 
our squadron and the Citj of Manila. A humid heat has made the 
ships almost unbearably sultry all day. But now the sun is nearing 
the horizon, and a faint ripple on the water, two or three miles away, 



70 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

shows that at last we are to have an at least temporary relief. Heavy 
clouds are banked up to the northward, and, as the sun drops out of 
sight, the exquisite colors of a Philippine sunset reach half w\iy to the 
zenith before the quickly oncoming night cuts short the panorama. 
Widespread flashes of heat lightning, varied by the forked bolts of a 
distant thunder storm, keep the west aglow at intei-vals. Then all 
brightness dies out, and the impenetrable gloom of a tropical night 
closes down over the ships. AVhat will it bring forth? Ten miles away 
lie the forces of a defeated and sullen enemy. Since the battle of May 
1st not a move against us has been made. All the boujbast and bravado 
of the Governor-General has had no deed to back it up. There are, w^o 
are told, several thousand troops under the Spanish colors in Manila, 
besides a large body of seamen and marines, whom we drove out of 
Cavite. It cannot be possible that, among so many brave men — and 
they do not lack for daring when properly led— there are not a score or 
two capable of risking their lives to destroy our ships. At any rate, our 
admiral does not intend to take any chances; and, when night falls 
over the bay, the squadron prepares for its protection, exactly as though 
we w-ere in the presence of an alert and deterniined foe. 

Night Scenes in Manila Bay. 

"Just before the last of daylight disappears, a ewift steam launch 
or one of the captured tug-boats shoots away from the Olympia, passing 
around the squadron and giving the countersign for the night. By 
the time it has flnished its circuit the deep darkness has fallen, and 
woe be to the boat that then ventures within gunshot of any of our 
vessels! Even the picket-boat that we keep out for our own protection 
does not care to roam about too near the forbidden waters, for an over- 
hasty lookout might hail and then fire, without waiting for a reply. In 
the first few nights there were several such incidents to enliven the 
existence of the young officers on picket duty, but, fortunately, no one 
was hurt. 

"All the night one-half of each ship's company is on watch along- 
side the guns of the secondary battery— that is, the G-pounder, 3-pounder 
and 1-pounder rapid-firers and the automatic machine guns. At several 
points on each side of the ship are posted the keenest-eyed seamen of the 
wiitcli. No glow of light is visible from any part of the vessel after 



AFTER THE BATTLE. 71 

eight o'clock, but two or three men stand around each searchlight, ready, 
at a word from the officer of the deck, to turn a concentrated pencil of 
blinding electric rays upon any object within a range of 2,000 yards. 
Every few minutes these lights sweep the waters of the bay. The light.s 
sometimes fall upon one of the remaining merchant vessels that have 
not yet succeeded in getting enough ballast aboard to enable them to 
go to sea, and the effect is magical. Under a sky of dense blue the 
horizon and the atmosphere just above the water seem of a Stygian 
blackness, when suddenly a pencil of brightness shoots out from the side 
of one of our vessels and falls upon a full rigged ship, bringing into 
fairy outlines all the hull, masts, spars and rigging of the craft, 
silhouetted against an inky darkness, like a transformation scene in 
a spectacular play. This never occurs to a warship, as it is contrai*y to 
naval etiquette to throw a searchlight upon a man-of-war. 

Ready for Any Emergency. 

"The guns of the main battery are loaded with shrapnel and the 
smaller pieces with either shell or shrapnel. The 1-pounders and the 
automatic machine guns in the military tops are also manned, with an 
ample supply of ammunition at band. 

"These precautions are taken nightly — not because there is a special 
alarm concerning torpedo attempts, but because it is the custom of 
American naval officers to take nothing for granted in war time. The 
men not stationed as lookouts are allowed to sleep beside their guns, 
and of the officers only the one in charge of the watch is required to be 
on deck. 

"The moon is almost a negligible quantity. It is after three o'clock 
in the morning before it rises, so that the greater part of the night is 
as dark as Erebus. If ever the Spaniards intend to attack us they will 
do it before a new moon begins to rise early and light up the bay for 
a continually lengthening period of time. Ever}- one on shipboard is a 
little more on the qui vive than has been deemed necessary before. 
More and more frequently the searchlights are swept over the face of 
the water, and the captain sleeps with an even gi'eater readiness to 
waken than usual. 

"About ten minutes before the beginning of the first v.-atch — that is, 
the time between eight o'clock and midnight — four red lights sud- 



72 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

denly flash into beinc; aloncj the backstay of the flagship's mainmast. 
This is the general call, and every vessel replies by turning the same 
arrangement of lights upon her Ardois signal system. Rapidly the red 
and white lanterns are turned on and off aboard the Olympia, while 
tlic (Jther vessels repeat each combination as it appears on the flag- 
ship's mast, until Ave have read the message: 'Have reason to expect 
torpedo attack. Be ready.' As the message has been sent by the 
common 'wig-wag' code, with which most of the seamen and ap- 
prentices are familiar, the whole squadron instantly knows its puii>ort, 
and there is a little buzz of interest throughout the vessels. The effect 
is not noticeable except on close scrutiny, however. There is no excite- 
ment, no noise, and, apparently, no change in the arrangements usually 
made. But a careful and experienced observer will see that the execu- 
tive oflScer is going through the ship giving personal attention to the 
selection of lookouts at the more important posts; that the navigator is 
inspecting each searchlight and battle lantern to be sure that the electric 
current is working satisfactorily; that each division officer is supervis- 
ing the loading of his guns and the working of all the battery mechan- 
ism; that a specially fast launch has been detailed for picket duty; that 
the men — without being so ordered — are grouping 'round their guns in 
lighting rig — a pair of trousers only — with no thought of sleeping until 
the other watch comes on at midnight; and, finally, that the captain is 
pacing the bridge in cool contemplation of all the work, giving frequent 
orders in low tones, showing that nothing has escaped his ceaseless vigil- 
ance. 

"Watching for Spanish Torpedoes. 

"In the dense darkness the Concord and the Callao get underway — 
as we learn next day — but no one knows of this manoeuver at the time, 
for no light betrays their movement, either from within or without. 
It is not necessary nor proper to say where they go or what they do, for 
lliere is no telling of Avar secrets countenanced in this command. It is 
I'liough 1o say that it would liaA'e been a A'ory sad night for any Spanish 
torpedero avIio had tried to get within range of our ships that night — 
or any other night, for that matter 

"The sill]) is as dark and as silent as the graA'e. The night wears on 
with no sign that there is anything on foot out of the usual run of 
blockade routine, except that the searchlights are ceaselessly active, 



AFTER THE BATTLE. 73 

sweeping the sea in every direction. The clouds pile up heavier and 
denser, and the heat grows more and more oppressive, until the accumu- 
lating storm bursts in tropical fury directly over the squadron. Vivid 
Hashes of lightning so dazzle the eye that the arc rays seem like mere 
tallow candles. Accompanied by terrific thunder and a deluge of rain 
the storm hangs close above our mastheads, as though resolved to give 
our enemy every chance that he could wish for a favorable moment in 
which to steal upon us unawares. 

"Through the masses of rain, now driven fiercely in our faces by the 
squall attending the cloud storm, it is impossible for the searchlights to 
penetrate far. The light is so diffused and refracted by the rain drops 
that its rays are stopped at a distance of 500 or GOO yards. Now, if ever, 
is the time for a watchful and vindictive foe to come at us. 



Search Lights IneflFective During the Storm. 

"Suddenly the forward searchlight falls upon something on the port 
bow. In this work it is not necessary to differentiate between objects 
and determine what they are. It is enough if the light touches some- 
thing that forms a contrast with the sullen, greenish grey of the water. 
A dozen eyes are following the sweep of the light. Half a dozen guns 
swing quickly around till they bear on the point where the rays touch 
the water. The captain speaks a word in a voice-tube, and away aft 
on the poop deck the officer in command at that place gives a low order 
to the men at the after light, which quickly veers around till it, too, is 
focused on the spot where the forward one is pointed. It is nothing — 
merelj' the wreck of an old boat that has been floating about the bay 
ever since May 1st. Other similarly unimportant discoveries are made, 
but they bear witness to the watchfulness of our seamen, and are, 
therefore, not as unimjwrtant as they may seem. Nearly every man is 
wet all over, and the breeze — now fresh and cool — makes the remainder 
of the watch anything but comfortable; but there is no relaxation of 
the vigil. 

"And so wears the night away. Dawn comes upon a calm sea, blue 
sky and zephyrlike airs ofi* the land. No enemy has appeared, and no 
disturbance has made an even temporary excitement. The ships' com- 
panies take up the customary work of the morning without a murmur, 



74 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

aiiiiaiciitly indifferent to the strain and liardsliii) of a whole night of 
waiting for the torpedo tliat never came." 

A Voyage with Aguinaldo. 

On May 17th the McCulloch, haviuj^- returned to llong Kong with dis- 
patches, again sailed for Manila Bay, having on board as passengers, 
with the consent of Admiral Dewey, Emilio Aguinaldo and about fort^^ 
of his subordinate followers, who had begged permission to come to 
Cavite and resume their insurrection against the Spaniards. I re- 
turned to the fleet myself iu the McCulloch on this trip, and was thus 
able to make Aguinaldo's acquaint ance under very favorable circum- 
stances. 

General Aguinaldo landed iu Cavite May 19th and issued three 
proclamations on May 21th. In the first, he gave as the reason for his 
return to Luzon the fact that the Spaniards seemed powerless in the 
hands of the priests, who constantly placed obstacles iu the waj' of 
progi-ess. None of the promised reforms in the government had been 
carried out. He also stated that he had suiTendered his arms and 
handed over a strong army believing it would be more beneficial to the 
couutiT than carrying on an insurrection with poor resources. Now, he 
said, as the great and powerful United States had come forward to offer 
disinterested protection that the natives might gain liberty for their 
country, he had returned to command the army, and i)roposed to estab- 
lish a dictatorship, with an advisory council, until the islands were com- 
pletely independent. 

In the second proclamation he forbade all negotiations for peace be- 
tween the rebels and the Spaniards, in view of the failure, both civil 
and militarj', of all previous negotiations. He also announced that all 
Spaniards coming to parley without credentials and a flag of truce 
would be shot as spies. If a Filipino undertook such a commission he 
would be condemned to be hanged with the placard "Traitor to his 
country" attached to his body. 

Aguinaldo's Proclamation to the Filipinos. 

Tlic thii'd and most iiiipditaMt proclamation, because of its humane 
inti-ntioiis, addressed directly to the FiIi])ino!<, read as follows: 



AFTER THE BATTLE, 75 

"The great North American nation, a lover of true libertj-, and there- 
fore desirous of liberating our country from the tyranny and desjDOtism 
to which it has been subjected by its rulers, has decided to give us disin- 
terested protection, considering us sufficiently able and civilized to gov- 
ern ourselves. 

"In order to retain this high opinion of the never to be too highly 
praised and great nation of North America, we should abominate such 
acts as pillage and robbery of every description, and acts of violence 
against persons and property. 

"To avoid international complications during the campaign, I decree: 

"1. Lives and property of all foreigners are to be respected, includ- 
ing Chinese and those Spaniards who neither directly nor indirectly 
have taken up arms against us. 

"2. The lives and property of our enemies who lay down their 
arms are to be equally respected. 

"3. In the same way, all hospitals and all ambulances, together with 
the persons and effects therein, as well as their staffs, are to be respected, 
unless they show themselves hostile. 

"4. Those who disobey what is set forth in the three former articles 
shall be tried by summary courtmartial and shot, if by such disobedi- 
ence there has been caused assassination, fires, robbery, or violence." 

Aguinaldo's Movements against the Spanish. 

As the prospects for fighting between the United States naval forces 
and the Spanish troops on shore were now practically nil, I devoted my 
time to watching the proceedings of the Filipinos under Aguinaldo. 
\yithin a week after his arrival in Cavite he had about 1,000 men under 
arms. Admiral Dewey gave him a large number of Mauser rilies and a 
considerable quantity of ammunition, captured from the Spaniards, and 
in a day or two a small steamer called the Faon — an assumed name, 
by the way — came into port frcun Canton, bringing about 3,000 stand of 
Remington breechloading rifles and a large stock of cartridges for these 
pieces. 

On the night of May 2Gth Aguinaldo sent 600 men across Bakor Bay 
to land between the detachment of Spaniards who were holding Ca- 
vite Viejo (Old Cavite) and the detachment quartered in the powder 
magazine, a little to the east of Cavite Viejo. The garrison in each 



76 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

of these strong positions was about 300 men, so that the insurgents 
were represeute<l by a force equal to that of their enemy. But, while 
the Spaniards had fully 1,000 men and several pieces of artillery within 
easy call of both these positions, the natives had no artillery and no 
possibility of getting reinforcements. Once landed on the Old Cavite 
side of Bakor Bay, they must fight it out for themselves. 

On the morning of May 28th a detachment of Spaniards attacked 
the insurgents and were not only repulsed but forced to surrender, the 
insurgents capturing in two skirmishes 418 Spaniards, including fifteen 
otTicers. The country where these affairs took place was covered with a 
thick trojiical undergrowth, while numerous streams and swamps per- 
mitted no militaiT order to be maintained. 

Watching a Battle from the Bay. 

On May 29th, before the sun had yet risen. General Aguinaldo rein- 
forced his troops on the mainland with about one thousand men. I ex- 
pected to witness a charge over the narrow neck of land that connects 
Cavite peninsula with the mainland, where the Spaniards were known 
to have at least one field gun and the bulk of their troops. Before noon, 
however, (Jeneral Aguinaldo told me he had changed his plan, because 
the Spaniards held the peninsula with such a large force that he feared 
an assault would not be successful. If he failed he would not be able 
to reinforce his men on the other side of the bay without taking great 
chances from the Mausers of the Spaniards stationed at the Bakor 
magazine and at Old Ciivite. Also, in case the Spaniards should bring 
heavy reinforcements from Manila, his men would be caught between 
two fires, where they might all be captured or killed. As this was the 
situation he refused to give me any assistance to get to the front, and 
would not even give me a guide to show me where to land nij^ boat on the 
other side. 

I then tried to cross the neck of land leading from the peninsula to 
the mainland, but having drawn the fire of the Spaniards as soon as I 
came out from the cover of the trees, where I was wholly exposed on a 
narrow sandy beach, I returned to Cavite to ask Aguinaldo again for a 
boat and guide. As nothing could persuade him to alter his decision 
I hired a native canoe and started to cross the bay without a guide. 
When uearlng the shore between Old Cavite and Bakor, zij)! the Mauser 



AFTER THE BATTLE. 77 

bullets gave waruiug that the Spaniards were watching for the approach 
of boats from the rebel side. 

Filipinos against Spanish. 

Suddenly a sharp pattering fire, followed by the continuous rattle 
of a machine gun, broke out on the extreme right of the Spanish jiosi- 
tion. It was evident that the Spanish troops from Manila were coming 
down the road well back from the baj-. As I was only about a mile from 
the magazine on the beach I could hear the cheers of the Spanish soldiers 
stationed there, and see them waving their liats wildly in the air in ex- 
pectation of the reinforcements froni Manila. The steady rattle of the 
machine gun continued for twenty minutes and showed that a hot action 
was in progress. Then it stopped as suddenlj- as it had begun. Present- 
ly a slender column of smoke rose in the air near the scene of the fight. 
It was evidently a signal to Aguinaklo in Cavite. 

As I was intently watching the events on shore I did not notice 
what was happening behind me and was suddenly surprieed to hear the 
roar of a heavy gun. I could tell by the scream of the projectile as it 
passed over me that it came from a rifled gun of large calibre, and for 
a moment I thought the Petrel miist have entered into the fight. I 
could not discover where the shot struck; but looking back to Cavite, 
I distinguished a group of rebels surrounding four muzzle-loading 
rifles that pointed toward the Spaniards from the Cavite wall. In front 
of the guns a long stovepipe was throwing out a column of signal smoke 
like the one on the beach near me. This was the plan Aguinaldo had 
been keeping in reserve, and he was now letting his men at the front 
know he was ready to take part in the fight. 

With the aid of strong glasses, I was able to watch the movements of 
both parties far better than from any point on shore. For two miles 
along the water I could see brown-skinned men, wearing very few 
clothes, running toward the Spanish positions. The rebels took ad- 
vantage of every point of cover, and in groups of ten or twenty they 
would make short rushes. 

Victory for the Insurgents. 

The shots from Mauser rifles that came skipping into the water in 
large numbers told me that there must be many Spaniards out of sight 



78 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

iulaud, Avbose firing was more commendable for its rapidity than for 
its arcuracy. Once in a while a man would fall on the beach. Some- 
times he would lie motionless and again he would crawl painfully to 
cover. Unfortunately the sky was so overcast that I was unable to 
take any photographs. 

Meantime the Spaniards had stopped cheering, but I could see that 
at all their posts they were keeping more tenaciously under cover than 
were the insurgents and were thus saving themselves from many 
casualties. 

All this time a field piece at Bakor Church was firing frequently and 
trying to sweep the beach to the westward. At ten minutes past two 
o'clock one of the heavy guns of the Cavite battery roared out again, 
and this time the shot struck the water close to the magazine. Its effect 
was positively ludicrous. Twenty men seized a flagstaff about thirty 
feet long, bearing a large, white flag, and raised it to a standing position. 
They were in such haste that they lost their hold and it fell to the 
ground. A second time they lifted it, and a second time it fell. But 
finally willi a third attempt it was elevated in plain sight of the Cavite 
guns. The Spanish garrison, however, tried to escape to Bakor with all 
their arms and a quantity of stores that they took from the magazine 
buildings, but they were captured and forced to surrender. 

Like ants now, the little brown men swarmed along the beach 
toward Bakor Church. This was the only place Avhere the Spaniards 
seemed to be strong excejjt at Old Cavite. It was evident that the rebels 
were pressing upon them harder from the land side than from the 
beach; for, while the field piece fired a few shots and reports of rifles 
were frequent, fewer bullets came in mj^ direction. 

Bakor Church Carried by Assault. 

On an archcil si one liridge near Old Cavite the rebels raised their 
flag, and i)resently another rebel force was seen pursuing about fifty 
Spaniards along the beach. These men surrendered far to the left of 
the general fighting ground, and were marched back toward Bakor. 

On toward Manila a great column of smoke rose in the air to the 
height of a thousand feet, showing that the Spaniards retreating in that 
direction had fired the town of Las Pifias. 

Upon the Spanish position at Bakor Church frequent charges were 




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AFTER THE BATTLE. 81 

made, and I saw many meu fall either dead or wounded. Some of the 
latter would drag themselves down to the water's edge to bathe their 
wounds. At last a savage assault was made upon the church. Once, 
twice, the field piece spoke, and then was silent. The rattle of the rifles, 
which had been more rapid for a time, stopped simultaneously, and 
suddenly all was quiet. No one remained on the beach but the dead 
and wounded Filipinos. 

In a few moments two or three wounded men staggered to their feet, 
waved their hats in the air, and then sank down, exhausted but vic- 
torious. Presently the rebel flag — a band of red above and blue below, 
with half a w^hite diamond near the flagstaff — fluttered from the roof of 
Bakor Church. Everything on the beach had been captured except Old 
Cavite. 

As night was coming on and as there were indications of a typhoon, 
which rapidly passed over Luzon within the next thirty-six hours, I 
reluctantly returned to the fleet. 

Later, when I visited some of the Spanish officers who had been 
captured in previous skirmishes, I found that the rebels treated their 
prisoners with consideration and gave them comfortable quarters. 

Allowed to Go to the Front. 

On June 2 Aguinaldo gave me a pass through all his lines, and that 
day I took a native canoe and crossed the bay to the rebel camp near 
Old Cavite. There I sought out Brigadier-General Tomas Mascado, 
who was in command of the troops. A guide to the front was provided 
for me, and when I I'eached the bridge where the rebel flag had been 
hoisted a few days before I found that it had been barricaded with large 
stones taken from the coping on the rebel side. The insurgents had 
whollj^ surrounded the solid stone church at Old Cavite and had pre- 
pared to starve out the garrison. 

The country about here was most difficult to cross on account of the 
thick tropical growth with which it was covered. There were few roads 
penetrating this dense mass of vegetation, and the water was every- 
where covered with heavy green slime. As I passed through several 
villages I saw many natives idling about the low thatched hguses, and 
all looked half starved. The young meu, however, who formed the bulk 
of the rebel fighting material, were enthusiastic aud brave. 



g2 AlT];i{ TIIK l!ATT!,K. 

Bi'in;;- an Aiiicriiaii and haviiij;- no right to take any part in the 
operations of tlie natives against the Spaniards,! was interested in mere- 
ly tlie news features of the eanipaigu that was then going on in Cavite 
Province. While I expected to go wherever it might be necessary or 
desirable for me to go, in order to witness the fighting, I had promised 
Aguiualdo, when lie gave nie my pass, that I would not run any un- 
necessary risks and particularly that I would not go to the Old Cavite 
bridge; because, he said, the fighting at that point was likely to be very 
hot, and, if I should be killed, my death might have a bad influence 
upon the Filipino cause. When, therefore, my pony stopped at the in- 
( line to a bridge about noon, I walked forward to the stone barricade 
iJKit was built across the bridge at the highest point of its arch. I had 
crossed several bridges en route to this one, and therefore I did not 
connect this particular bridge with the warning Aguinaldo had given 
me. The heat was intense and the stillness of the tropical noon per- 
vadtHl everything. Perhaps a dozen natives were in the barricade, look- 
ing through the portholes that had been left between the large stones, 
and near a roadside house there were many Filipino soldiers loung- 
ing in the shade of bamboo sheds covered with coarse straw mats, lu 
front of the house was a new Krupp field-piece, unlimbered. 

Within Short Range of the Enemy. 

I noticed that the soldiers were greatly iuten-sted in nie, and as I 
went up the incline of the bridge they all stood up and saluted, while 
one or two said they would call an officer. I was accustomed to receiv- 
ing the salutes of the Filipino soldier.s, as they knew iiic to l)e an 
American serving with our fleet , and it was natural that tiiey should 
suppose me to be an officer of our navy. But on this occasion they 
showed a great deal more curiosity and respect combined than I had 
ever before noticed. On looking thi-ough the loop-holes in the stone 
barricade, I saw that I had, unintentionally, broken my promise to 
Aguinaldo and that I was on the crest of the bridge where I had seen 
such a hot tight in progTess only a few hours before, when I was Avatch- 
ing the sliore from the poop-deck of the Petrel. About 200 yards away 
was the church of Old Cavite, and I could easily distinguish the features 
(if the Spanish marines who were watching the rebel barricade over the 
top of tlie rliui" li ]iaiapei. I jiad walked "into the lion's den" without 



AFTER THE BATTLE. 83 

the slightest suspicion that I was approaching the advance posts of the 
insurgent position. As the distance was an easy point-blauli range for 
the Mauser rifle, I felt that, as a non-combatant, I had no business there. 
But, of course, I was anxious to see what was going on; and, besides, 
it would have been impossible for me to withdraw until I had done what 
I came to do — namely, learn the situation and get what information the 
Filipinos in the fighting line were able to give me. 

Looted Articles from Cavite. 

So I unslung my camera and asked the soldiers to group themselves 
in rear of the barricade so that I could take their pictures. Only one 
or two of them spoke Spanish, and they not fluently, so that I had some 
difficult}' in getting matters arranged to suit me. But they brought me 
from the house near the bridge a black walnut table and a very com- 
fortable bent-wood Vienna chair, and one of the older men held over 
my head, to shield me from the almost intolerable rays of the sun, a fine 
silk umbrella. All of these articles were a part of the "loot" taken out of 
Cavite and San Eoque. A great number of the natives crowded into the 
narrow sjiace on the bridge, anxious to see what the "Americanong" 
was going to do. I may here remark that my photograph was a failure, 
because my films had been sijoiled by the climate. 

However, after getting a. large amount of interesting information 
from Captain Sallafranca, who was in command of the post, temporarily, 
and after attempting to get a photo of the bridge barricade, I was ready 
to continue my trip through the rebel lines around the Spanish posi- 
tion in Old Cavite. As I rose from my comfortable chair and turned my 
eyes toward the bay, I saw the Petrel about a mile and a half away, 
lying off Cavite. As I mentioned before, I had been aboard the Petrel 
earlier in the day, watching the fierce fighting that had then been going 
on at this bridge; and, thinking that perhaps some of the Petrel's 
officers might have their glasses still turned on the bridge, it occurred 
to me that I would let them see that I was there. Accordingly, as I 
stood up, I waved my white helmet two or three times toward the 
Petrel. It must be remembered that it was as peaceful and quiet in 
that neighborhood as a country church-yard on Sunday. Not a shot 
had been fired since I arrived at the bridge, and momentarily I had 
forgotten that I was within point-blank range of 250 Mauser rifles. 



84 AFTER THE BATTLE. 

This was oue of the usual couditious at that time of year, for the heat 
was so tjverpowerini'- that there was sekloui auy fighting between ten 
o'clock in the forenoon and sunset. 

The Spaniards Open Fire. 

But the Spaniards in Old Cavite church had, evidently, become dis- 
turbed at the unusual gathering of men behind the Filipino barricade, 
for they had massed nearly their whole force opposite our position, 
probably fearing a suddeu charge. When, therefore, they saw my hel- 
met waved three times, they felt sure the rush was about to begin; 
and bang! br-r-r-r started off the rolling fire of their Mausers; and 
ping! ping! ping! came the shower of their bullets on the rocks around 
us. The air seemed full of little whirring scorpions, and as I sat down 
again in my chair to chronicle the incidents passing before me — and, 
incidentally, of course, not to expose myself any more than was neces- 
sary to the swarm of projectiles whistling close about me — it seemed 
impossible that any of us in that redoubt would ever come out of it 
unhurt. For, although the barricade gave considerable protection, the 
port-holes were six inidies high by three inches wide, and one side of the 
bridge was wholly unprotected because the stones had been removed 
to make a place for the field gun, which had been used to shell the 
church earlier in the day. 

The Filipinos returned the Spanish fire promptly, and their men 
flocked into the redoubt in such numbers that they soon silenced the 
Spaniards. And, except for one man, who went by picking a lot of loose 
teeth out of his mouth, where a bullet had raked his jaw, and another, 
who was shot in the leg, there were no casualties on our side. Having 
rt-aited till the firing had AvhoUy ceased, I moved away to the left of the 
rebel lines to see (ieneral Mascado, kindly but firmly declining the 
invitation of Captain Sallafranca to train the field-piece on the church 
and show his men how to aim it. He told me that they had fired twelve 
shots at the church at that short range and had hit it only three times. 
As the piece had been captured from the Spaniards at Imus only that 
morning, it was not strange tliat they should have been unfamiliar with 
its use. This little experience gave me a good idea of the inefficiency 
of the Spani.sh force, for at the distance of 200 yards they ought to have 
killed and wounded a large number of the natives, in spite of the pro- 
tection afforded by the stone.s. 



AFTEE THE BATTLE. 85 

All the Spaniards Surrender. 

Five days later the garrisou in Old Cavite church surrendered un- 
conditionally, and by that time not one Spaniard was left uncaptured 
in Cavite Province. Aguiualdo's men had taken them in one detach- 
ment after another, and the net result was that about 1,600 Spaniards 
became the prisoners of an equal number of Filipinos. 

It is easy to see how these victories encouraged the natives and 
made them imagine that they were irresistible. Thousands of rein- 
forcements flocked to Aguiualdo, and he was able to arm them partly 
with the rifles he had captured from the Spaniards and partly with 
Kemingtons, bought in Hong Kong and shipped to him in chartered 
craft from Canton or Amoy. 

From this time until the arri^•al of the first detachment of United 
States troops, on the 30th of June, Aguiualdo maintained his head- 
(luarters in Cavite, but his troops were continually pressing the Span- 
iards back upon Manila. Every night fierce musketry fire was heard 
along the road that ran around the bay from Cavite to Manila, and 
every fight showed that the native troops had made considerable ad- 
vance in their position beyond that of the preceding night. It was not 
long before they reached the fort near the beach at Malate, one of 
Manila's suburbs, and then they continued their movement for invest- 
ing the citv to the east and north. 



CHAPTER IV. 

PREPARING TO TAKE ilANILA. 

The American People Rise to an Emergency — General Merritt Chosen to 
Command an Expedition to the Philippines — Gathering an Army ut 
San Francisco — Complications with the Germans in -Manila Bay — 
Another S])anish Gunboat Captured — Prisoners Become a Nuisance — 
Arrival of Transports and Troops — First Battle Ashore — Ready to 
Take Manila. 

By Dewey's victon- in JIauila Bay, there were suddenlj created obli- 
•xatious to be met by the United States'siich as had never been con- 
templated by the people, and hardly by the administration. The coun- 
try rose to meet them with notable enthusiasm and promptitude. Con- 
sidered in its influence upon our national standiu<f aiuonj; the Euro- 
jieau powers, perhaps no feature of the year's history was of greater 
importance than this. It was accepted instantly that a militaiy expe- 
dition was demanded in order to follow up the advantages gained in 
the naval victory. Without delay, Major-CJeneral AVesley Merritt was 
appoiuteil to the command of the proi)osed expedition and the details 
of the plans involved Avere formulated as rapidly as possible. 

San Francisco was made the port where this army was to be mobil- 
ized and whence it slutuld sail on the long voyage across the Pacific 
ocean. General Merritt desired that as large a part as possible of his 
force be made up of regulars, as it was known that the Spanish soldiers 
in the Philippines were the pick of the Castilian army. Nevertheless, 
the need of ])icked men of our regiments for the Chiban campaign was 
(•(pially imperative, so in the end volunteers predoniiuated among those 
who were sent to San Francisco. 

Mobilization at San Francisco. 

In till' city by the Golden Gate thousands of men gathered during 
Mav and .Iniic, encamping in the beautiful military reservation known 

8G 



PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 87 

as the Presidio, where they were drilled energeticalh' and instructed 
in all details possible of the service that was to be required of them. 
Most of the volunteers assigned to the Philippine expedition were those 
in the regiments from the western states, in order to shorten the rail- 
way journey necessary to bring them to the port of embarkation. The 
Pacific ports were ransacked by quartermasters-general in order to 
find transports for the long voyage; but at last all preparations were 
complete and the expedition began to sail. 

During the period of waiting, while the army was mobilizing in 
San Francisco and while it was making the journey in the troopships, 
the navy had to wait, inactive so far as visible progress was concerned, 
sometimes impatient at the tedium of the service, but always perform- 
ing duties hardly less essential than the more spectacular ones of early 
May. The complications with the Germans in Manila Bay at one time 
threatened to take a serious form and Admiral Dewey had another 
opportunity to demonstrate his readiness to meet any emergency. 

Peculiar Actions of the Germans. 

Within a few days after the battle of May 1, German men-of-war 
began to arrive, until finally seven warships out of the eight which 
Germany had in the far east were there. Vice-Admiral Von Diederichs, 
who commanded the Asiatic squadron, was with his flagship amou"- the 
number. The significance of this demonstration created much specula- 
tion and concern. 

When it is considered that Germany, Austria and Portugal delayed 
their expressions of neutrality to an alarming limit, the massing of 
German ships at this critical time was regarded as significant. Ac- 
cording to an unwritten law of international courtesy it is unusual 
for more than two or three ships of a foreign power to gather in a block- 
aded port. The German interests in Manila were not so extensive as to 
require a gi-eat force to protect them. It was equally improbable that 
the Germans were there merely to witness the last act of Admiral 
Dewey's brilliant tragedy. The theory of curiosity could hardly justify 
them in leaving Kiau-Chou at a time when the Russian and English 
relations are so sti'aiue<l. 

Vice-Admiral Von Diederichs said that Germany was making a dem- 
onstration in Manila bay for the purpose of benefiting the trade rela- 



gg I'KEPAKING TO TAKE MANILA. 

tious between Manila and his own counti*y. The exact connection be- 
tween cause and ell'ect in this instance was somewhat obscure. 

The t^paniards in Manila, according to the Diario de Manila, looked 
on the (ierniaus as beiu^- their friends and sympathizers, and the advent 
of Germany's fleet as encouragement to Spanish interests. The Ger- 
mans saluted the Spanish flag on several occasions after Admiral 
Dewey established his blockade. This Avas apparently intended as 
evidence of special friendliness to Spain. Neither the English nor 
French saluted the Spanish flag, and only in one instance did the Japan- 
ese salute it. 

Finally, after a scries of annoyances from the (Sermans, Admiral 
Dewey requested from Admiral Diederichs an explanation of Germany's 
position in the l'hilii>piues. He also protested against the German 
admiral's disregard of the American blockade of Manila. 

Admiral Dewey Asks an Explanation. 

The Gennan naval oflicers had taken pains to show particular friend- 
liness toward the Spaniards. The German officers had visited the 
Spanish fortifications and trenches and the Manila newspapers had 
asserted that the presence before the city of so many German ships 
enabled the Spanish anthorities and the people of Manila to regard 
the American fleet with complacency. 

Finally the German admiral told Admiral Dewey that three of his 
ships were to depai-t, but they went only as far as Mariveles, Subig bay 
and Cebu. On June 27 the McCuUoch met the Irene, one of the German 
fleet, at Corregidor island, preparing to enter the bay, and signaled to 
her: "We wish to communicate with you." The Irene paid no attention 
to the signal, and proceeded on her way until a small boat was sent out 
to her from the McQilloch. The captain of the Irene explained the 
matter hj saying that he had misunderstood the signal. 

The action of the Irene in interfering with an attack by the insur- 
gent vessel, Filipinas, on the Spanish garrison at Isla (Jraude, in Subig 
bay, was in line with the attitude adopted by the German naval oflRcers. 
As soon as the insurgejits rejiorted the matter to Admiral Dewey he 
disi)atched the lialeigh and Goncord to Subig bay and captured the 
Spanish gan-ison, the Irene departing hastily on the arrival of the 
Amci'ican wai'sliips. 




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PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 93 

At last Admiral Dewey sent an officer to the German flagship with a 
request that Admiral Diederichs make a statement of the German atti- 
tude in the matter of the blockade of Manila. At the same time he 
delivered a protest against various actions by German officers, such as 
have been mentioned here. The German admiral sent an immediate 
I'xplauatiou. Two days later, however, he sent a protest to Admiral 
Dewey against the action of American officers in boarding German ships 
coming to Manila from Mariveles. lie cited the incident of the Mc- 
Culloch and the Irene at Corregidor. 

Admiral Dewey replied to this very courteously but firmlj'. He 
])()inled out to the German admiral that international law gave to the 
commander of a blockading fleet authority to communicate with all 
the ships entering a blockaded port. As international law permitted 
warships to fly any flag they chose in order to deceive an enemy, the 
nationality of vessels entering the bay could not be determined abso- 
lutely without communicating with them. He announced his intention 
to communicate with all ships entering the bay. For the German 
admiral's further information Admiral Dewey told him that if Germany 
was at peace with the United States the German naval officers would 
have to change their methods, and that if Germany was at war with 
his nation he desired to know it at once in order that he might act 
accordingly. 

With little delay the German changed his point of view and manner 
of conduct, and harmony once more ruled when Dewey said the word. 

Capture of the Gunboat Leyte. 

One of the most interesting events of the period of waiting was the 
capture of the Spanish gunboat Leyte which came to Manila bay and 
chanced capture, because that was the only escape that offered from 
an exceedingly dangerous position elsewhere. 

About 4:30 o'clock on the afternoon of June 29 the Boston sighted 
smoke near the northern shore of Manila bay. She signaled the flag- 
ship, and in a few minutes the order was signaled to the McCullocli to 
get under way and communicate with a Spanish steamer bearing north 
by west. The McCulloch's anchor was hastily hove up and the vessel 
steamed out toward the distant cloud of smoke. The stranger was 
heading for Manila, but when she approached the foreign man-of-war 



94 PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 

anchorage she slowed down. On the McCuIloch there was great ex- 
citement. This move was interpreted to mean that the Spaniard 
was going to stand and tight instead of attempting to run into the 
Manihi harbor. General quarters was sounded, guns were manned, 
ammunition was hurriedly got up and eA'erything was ready for the 
battle that all felt sure was to follow. The Spanish flag by this time 
could be made out flying from the staff of the stranger. Over on 
one side, just beyond the foreign ship, were the Manila batteries of 8- 
inch and G-inch Krupp guns, and the distance was very short for guns of 
their caliber and range. It was felt that an attemjjt to take a Spanish 
prize under the Spanish forts would precipitate an indignant fire from 
shore. The Spaniard lay waiting, and the yellow and red ensign 
flaunted impudently from her stern. As the McCulloch bore down on 
her a white flag appeared at the Spaniard's foremast. A half-mile 
away the officers and crews of the German and other foreign ships were 
looking on as at a drama. The officers of the American ship prepai'ed 
to send a boat off to communicate with the Spanish shij), but a pulling 
boat in the meantime had left the gang-way ladder of the latter. A 
Spanish officer sat in the stern, and when he reached the McOulloch 
there was a reception waiting him that was quite Chesterfieldian. Two 
side boys were at the gang-way and evei-y courtesy due to the rank of a 
captain was given him. He was very nervous and perhaps did not ex- 
pect the kindly greetings that awaited him. 

His name was lOmmanuel Peral, and his vessel was the gunboat 
Leyte, and there were 1S3 S]ianiards on her. The Spaniards were from 
Pampanga province, and as the rebels had become more active and ag- 
gressive they had been forced to leave the town of San Fernando an<l 
attempt an escape down the Pampanga rivei", Avith three rafts, oi- 
cascos, in tow, and 800 fugitives on board of them. Since June 11 
they had been trying to reach the bay, but the rebels had harassed 
and obstructed them unlil nearly all of the fugitives were suffering 
from sickness and hunger. They were driven to desperation when 
they succeeded in reaching the mouth of the river. The three cas- 
cos, with 800 people on board, were left behind, and the Leyte steamed 
across, hoping to land the sick in Manila. As they drew up toward 
the harbor the McCulloch was seen to be bearing down on them. 
So they decided to surrender and make no further attempt to reach 
tiic Pasig, although they easily had time to do it. Their cannon were 



PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 95 

thrown overboard, so that no suspicion of hostility could be directed 
toward them, and a white flag was run up at the fore. 

Prisoners Were Not Wanted. 

Admiral Dewey offered to liberate the Spaniards on parole and send 
them into Manila, but this was refused on account of the disinclination 
of the Spanish authorities in Manila to take paroled prisoners. Admiral 
Dewe^' did not want to keej) them as American prisoners, and the Span- 
iards expressed a hope that if they were kept it would be as prisoners 
of the admiral and not of the insurgents. They did not want to be 
turned over to Aguinaldo. Finally it was determined to defer action 
until the next morning. The Leyte lay a short distance astern of the 
Olympia, where Admiral Dewey, in walking the quarterdeck, could 
study his latest capture. The Spaniards, with hardly any food remain- 
inp-, were obliged to pass the night on their ship. When asked if they 
needed food they said that the very last morsel would be gone by morn- 
ing. Lieutenant Ridgelj' and Captain Peral gave them two bottles of 
wine, some cheese and biscuits and a few packages of cigarettes. 

The next day the Leyte was taken to Cavite and the prisoners 
disembarked. Sick, hungry and barefooted soldiers, mingled with hand- 
some officers and a number of children and women, made up the discon- 
solate, disheartened and discouraged passengers of the little gunboat. 
The governor of Pampangas, De Marcelina de la Mote Velarde, with fine, 
clear features and a uniform that showed how much it had been worn 
during the last few days, was one of the prisoners. There were over 
twenty officers, and every one carried his sword and small arms. There 
were between fifteen and tAveuty women and a few children, the rest 
of the great passenger list being made ui> of soldiers and sailors. When 
the ship steamed alongside the wharf near the arsenal twelve marines 
under Captain Williams were landed. These men were marched out on 
the dock and lined up in two parallel columns, six in each, about 
twenty feet apart. The Spanish soldiers, lugging their heavy knap- 
sacks and rifles, were drawn np in line between the American marines. 
The officers were allowed to stand in a group near the water end of the 
landing dock. The hold of the ship was searched and all the stragglers 
brought out. Then the men were marched a few hundred feet onward 
and the women and children, the sick and the native sailors were taken 



96 PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 

off the vessel. Great piles of trunks were remoA'ed and two heavy strong 
boxes of silver coin. The amount in these boxes was said to be about 
§10,000, and the officers claimed that it was personal property. This 
was hardly believed, however. Another quantity of nionej- was found, 
and this was given to the crew in payment of back wages by order of 
Admiral Dewey. 

These were the first prisoners taken and held by (lie admiral. The 
officers expressed themselves as preferring to be .Vmerican prisoners 
with something to eat than to be over in Manila. Tliey knew that the 
fact of their having surrendered their ship and money unnecessarily 
was seen in Manila and that they would be shot if they entered the city. 

Arrival of Pirst Troopships. 

It was (in .June 'M that i lie lirst of the transports reached Manila bay. 
On that day the troopships City of Peking, City of Sydney and Australia 
arrived from San Francisco under the convoy of the Charleston, which 
had made the trans-Pacific voyage with them, and the Baltimore which 
had been sent to the north of the island of Luzon to meet them. After 
calling at Honolulu thej' had touched at Guam in the Ladrone islands. 
Here the captain-general had surrendered to the Charleston, and the 
officers and soldiers of the Spanish garrison there had been taken 
aboard one of the transports as prisoners. 

Tlie arrival of tlie troopships brought great rejoicing to the Ameri- 
can fleet and dismay to the people of Manila, who believed that an 
iiuuiediate attack would be made on the city, which probablj' was to be 
destroyed by bombardment. The transports named brought General 
Thomas M. Anderson of the United States army, who had with him 
four companies of the 14th infantry of the regular army and the 1st 
California and 1st Oregon regiments of .volunteers. The next troop- 
siiips, under (leneral Frank V. Greene, arrived July 17; General Merritt 
himself came on July 2."), and when General MacArthur's quota arrived 
on July 30 the force was considered complete, Ihougt it has been re- 
enforced often since that time. 

Disembarkation was hastened as rapidly as possible and Cavito be 
came an exceedingly busy place. Drills were kept up faithfully and 
the men were prepared for whatever emergency might arise. General 
Anderson requested Aguinaldo to evacuate Cavile, as there was not 



PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 97 

sufficient room in the town for our own troops, and the Filipino dic- 
tator removed his headcjuarters to Balior, just across the bay of Bakor. 
At this place Aguinaldo called together a number of natives upon whosb 
loyalty to himself he could depend and organized a provisional gov- 
ernment. He ceased to sign himself "dictator," and appointed a "cabi- 
net." These men assumed the executive authority of the Filipino re- 
public, but Aguinaldo remained, as before, the sole power in the Filipino 
camp. 

Manila was finally fully surrounded by the rebel troops, and fighting 
at long range and without much effect went on every night. It was 
impossible for the insurgents to take the city either by siege or by 
assault, and so during the month of July the Spaniards were on the 
defensive against the natives. The troops of the United States were 
advanced from Cavite to Paranaque, only a short distance from the 
walls of Manila, and preparations were made by the United States 
forces for compelling the surrender of the city to General Merritt. 

First Engagement of American Troops. 

The first clash of arms between Spanish and American land forces 
in the Philippines resulted in the killing of ten Americans and the 
wounding of forty-three. The Spanish loss was not known. The con- 
flict occurred late in the night of July 31. It was the result of a reported 
effort on the part of the enemy to flank the American trenches near 
Malate, an effort which failed, if, indeed, it was ever intended. The 
fight was a vicious one, but the men who were having their baptism of 
fire never flinched. They showed the stuff of which they were made, 
as truly as they did two weeks later when Manila was the objective 
point. The engagement occurred in the midst of a driving rain, ac- 
companying a furious typhoon which had been raging for several days 
and the conditions were peculiarly trying. 

When finally the men of the three fleets of troopships were disem- 
barked and placed in position, General Merritt calculated that the time 
had come for final action. He had about 8,500 men ready to attack 
the city of Manila. He and Admiral Dewey united in a joint letter to 
the Spanish commander-in-chief, under date of August 7, notifying him 
that operations might begin at any time after forty-eight hours, or 



98 PREPARIKG TO TAKE MANILA. 

sooner if made necessary by an attack on his part, and that all uon- 
combatauts should therefore be removed from the citj-. 

In replying, Governor-General Jaudenes said in part: "As your 
notice is sent for the purpose of providing for the safety of non-com- 
batants, I give thanks to your excellencies for the humane sentiment 
you have shown, and state that, finding myself surrounded by insur 
rectionary forces, I am without places of refuge for the increased num. 
ber of wounded, sick, Avomen and children who are now lodged withiu 
the walls." 

Dewey and Merritt Demand Surrender. 

Two days later a second letter was sent to the captain-general by 
Admiral Dewey and General Merritt, reading as follows: 

"The Governor-General and Captain-General of the Philippines. 

"Sir: The inevitable suffering in store for the wounded, sick, 
women and childi'en, in the event that it becomes our duty to reduce the 
defenses of the walled town in which they are gathered, will, we feel 
assured, appeal successfully to the sympathies of a general capable of 
making the determined and prolonged resistance which your excel- 
lenc}' has exhibited after the loss of your naval forces and without hope 
of succor. 

"We therefore submit, without i)rejudice to tlie high sentimenls of 
honor and duty which your excellency entertains, that, surrounded on 
ever}' side as you are by a constantly increasing force, with a powerful 
(leet in your front and deprived of all prospect of reinforcement and 
assistance, a most useless sacrifice of life would result in the event of 
an attack, and therefore eveiy consideration of humanity makes it 
imperative that you should not subject your city to the hoiTors of a 
bDuibardment. Accordingly, we <lemand the surrender of the cit}' of 
Maiiiln ami tiic S])anis]i forces under your command." 

As the time approached marking the ex])ira(ion of the forty-eight- 
hour resi)ite granted to JIanila by General Merritt and Admiral Dewey 
before the attack the enthusiasm on the sliijjs was tremendous. Men on 
the sick list begged to be taken off and those who were unfit for heavy 
w'ork asked to be assigned to lighter duties. Men who would have been 



PREPARING TO TAKE MANILA. 99 

hopelessly ill if the ship was to be coaled now developed wonderful 
vitality and convalescence. A few thoughtful veterans got their fare- 
well letters written, but the great majority prepared for a picnic. 

When the Battle Was Expected. 

It was announced that the navy and ■army would get under head- 
way Wednesday noon, August 10. General orders were issued and the 
refuge ships and foreign war vessels anchored off the city began to 
move away to positions of safety. Ten or twelve refuge ships thronged 
with women and children from Manila were taken down to Mariveles 
bay. The foreign war vessels moved out of range. The German 
admiral sent word asking Admiral Dewey where he should anchor, 
and was told that he might anchor any place he chose so long as he ' 
was not in range. Then came a curious thing. The English ships — 
the Immortalite, Iphigenia, Pygmy and Plover — and the Japanese ship, 
the Naniwa, steamed over and joined the American ships at their 
anchorage off Cavite. The German and French warships withdrew in 
an opposite direction until they were well out of range. There couhl 
hardly have been a more eloquent exposition of the sympathetic lean- 
ings of the different nations, and the English, American and Japauese 
alliance which had been so frequently mentioned seemed a reality in 
Manila bay. 

At 9 o'clock on the morning of August 10 all was suppressed excite- 
ment. The ships were stripped and only the work of taking down the 
awnings remained. This was soon done and full steam pressure was 
raised for the work of turning the heavy screws. 

Shortly before 10 o'clock General Merritt came aboard and asked 
for a delay, stating that the army was not ready. The disappointment 
that this caused was extreme and the line drawn between the navy and 
army was never more sharp and vivid. The last dispatches had indi- 
cated that peace was so imminent that already every ship that came 
into the haj was apprehensively regarded as a probable bearer of the 
unwelcome news that hostilities should cease. To those who had lived 
on shipboard for months just in sight of the city lights the thought 
of being denied the pleasure of riding up and down the Lun;'ta v\-as 
something very trying. 

The fleet was signaled to bank fires and the commanders and cap- 



tofC. 



100 I'RRI'ARIXC TO TAKE MANILA. 

tains were told that tweuty-four hours' notice would be given before a 
general movement would be made. The Baltimore then began coaling 
from the Cvrus, and the situation seemed to have relaxed from the 
critical to the commonijlace routine of the old blockading days. 

On Friday, August 12, orders were sent out for all ships to pre- 
pare to get under wa^' at 9 o'clock the following morning. The army 
was ready. 









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i/:-Xi>V:i 



CHAPTER V". 

MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 

Approach of the Time when Waiting Was to End — Efforts to Obtain a Sur- 
render Without an Engagement Fail — Story of the Battle of August 
13 — Dramatic and Picturesque Features of the Assault on the Forti- 
fications — Talking Possession of the City — The Part Played by the 
Navy — Captured Spanish Gunboats Distinguish Themselves — Organ- 
izing the T^ow Regime in Manila — Waiting for the Declaration of 
Peace. 

The most concise story of the taking of Manila is that included in the 
official report cabled by General Merritt to the war department at 
Washington. It read as follows: 

"Hong Kong, August 18. — Adjutant-General, Washington: Manila, 
August 13. — On the 7th inst. Admiral Dewey joined me in a forty-eight- 
hour notification to the Spanish commander to remove non-combatants 
from the city. On the same date a reply was received expressing thanks 
for the humane sentiments, and stating that the Spanish were without 
places of refuge for non-combatants now within the walled town. On 
the 9th inst. we sent a joint note inviting attention to suffering in store 
for the sick and non-combatants in case it became our duty to reduce 
the defenses, also setting forth the hopeless condition of the Spanish 
forces, surrounded on all sides, with a fleet in front and no prospect of 
re-enforcements, and demanded surrender as due to every consideration 
of humanity. On the same date we received a reply admitting their 
situation, but stating the council of defense declared the request for 
surrender could not be granted, but offered to consult the government 
if time was granted necessary for communication via Hong Kong. A 
joint note was sent in reply declining. On the 13th joined with the navy 
in attack, with the following result: After about half an hour's accu- 
rate shelling of the Spanish lines, MacArthui^'s brigade, on the right, and 
Greene's on the left, under Anderson, made a vigorous attack and car- 
ried the Spanish works. Loss not accurately known — about fifty in all. 



104 MERRITT AND DEWKV CAPTrRE MANILA. 

JU'liavior of troops excellent; co-operatiou of the uavy most valuable. 
Troops advanced rapidly ou walled city, upon which a white iliv^ wa.s 
shown, and the town capitulated. Ti'oops occupy Malate, Biuondo aud 
the walled city of San Miguel. All important centers protected. Insur- 
gents kept out. No disorder nor pillage. 

"MERRITT." 

Just Before the Capture of the City. 

The facts are there but the details are uot. The details themselves 
were highly interesting. Tlie Spaniards knew they were whipped weeks 
before the battle. There was nothing to be expected from their long aud 
stubborn obstinacy except the possibility that peace might be declared 
before the Americans had captured the city. They were hemmed in on 
the south and the sea by the American troops aud by the insurgents on 
the east and north. For more than three months little food had been 
received, and they had been gradually reduced to tinned meats and then 
to rice and grain. Business was choked to a standstill and one by one 
the shops were closed. The only places that thrived Avere the cafes, 
which daily held their throngs of iSpauish officers cursing their misfor- 
tune and heaping their wrath on the Americans and the natives for 
obvious reasons; on the Euglis'^ because of the hitter's sympathy with 
the United States; ou the Germans because no help was given and on 
Spain because she had apj)arontly deserted them. The water works 
then fell into the hands of Aguiualdo's men and no water came to rid 
the town of its stenches and bring relief to the sick. Sickness came on 
quickly with the stopping of the water supply, the hospitals were filled 
and then the churches, and finally other public buildings. Over 3,000 
sick and wounded soldiers were in the walled citj when it fell. The 
sanitation was wretched, and the prolonged diet of rice aud coarse foods 
told fearfully on the delicate stomachs of the sick. A sentiment in favor 
of surrender sjtrang up. Captaiu-General Augustin was convinced of 
the folly of further resistance. The archbishoji, who had always been 
regarded as the most bitterly opposed to submission, was said to have 
favored it from the first. Madrid routed Augustin aud appointed Gen- 
eral Jaudencs his military successor because the latter was understood 
to favor fighting for iiis beloved flag and mother countrj- as long as a 
drop of blood flowed in his subordinates' veins. The newspapers printed 



MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 105 

fearful things about the Americans and rioted in the most shameless 
fabrication of official telegrams. The soldiei's had been deceived into 
believing that a fleet from Spain was expected for over a month, and 
each detachment of American troopships was heralded as the long- 
expected relief expedition until they were seen to join the ships of the 
admiral's fleet. 

Negotiations for Surrender. 

A feeling of discontent sjn'ead among the soldiers, and Admiral 
Dewej, acting through the Belgian consul, Mr. Edward Andr^, as in- 
termediary, began a series of communications with Governor Augustin 
which promised to result in the peaceful transfer of the Philippines 
without bloodshed. The admiral believed that such a transfer could be 
accomplished, and he hoped that by delaying until an ovenvhelming 
force arrived the Spaniards would submit and the American forces es- 
cape without losing a single man. At any time he could have taken 
the city. Had it been necessary to make a move it may be certain 
that he would have made it without waiting a moment. But acting 
on the belief that the same result could be obtained by diplomacy 
and patience, and feeling that there was no immediate hurry before the 
Monterey arrived, he was gradually reaching a satisfactory understand- 
ing with the Spanish authorities. 

General Greene, at this nervous crisis, when the scales were waver- 
ing, crowded his lines up against the Spanish works at Malate and pre- 
cipitated the general night fight of July 31, in which the ultimate death 
list reached a dozen, with a long roll of wounded. At that time it 
seemed that the admiral would be forced to act with sledge-hammer 
aggressiveness, but he still clung to the hope that the city could be 
taken by diplomatic negotiations and a general attack avoided. 

On the night of August 1 another American was killed in the 
trenches and two more were wounded. The American troops were 
ordered not to answer the Spanish firing unless the Spaniards came out 
to storm the trenches, which to any one familiar with the conditions 
was very improbable. There was a general feeling that the advancing 
of our troops had been an unwise move, because nothing was gained 
by it which could not have been easily gained at any later time should 
the necessity arise. Night after night the killing continued — one or 



lor. MERKirr and dewey ('apture Manila. 

two or three a uiylit, uutil the little bamboo aud acacia and mango 
trees in the convent yard at Maricaban waved over nearly a score of 
new-made <^raves. 

Then began the exchange of correspondence between the American 
and Spanish conimanders, ending with the demand for sun-ender which 
was made and refused. Saturday, August 13, was the day of the taking 
of Manila. 

Plan of the Day's Fighting. 

The army was divided into two brigades, (leneral Greene had the 
2d brigade and his men were strung along on the extreme right extend- 
ing to the beach. As his advance fighting line he had the Utah light 
artillery, with Captains Grant and Young; the 1st Colorado, under 
Colonel Irving Hale, and a battalion of the 3d artilleiy. The last- 
named, although in the tiring line, was not under fire. Back of the 
fu'ing line, in immediate support, was the 2d battalion of the 1st Cal- 
ifcn-nia, under Colonel Smith and Major Sime. As reserves there w'er? 
the 18th United States infantry, 1st California, 1st Nebraska, 10th 
Pennsylvania and a battalion of United States engineers. 

The 1st brigade, under General MacArthur, further inland, was 
distributed in a similar manner as firing line and reseiTes. The Astur 
battery, 13th Minnesota and 23d infantry were in front, with one 
battalion of the 14th infantry, two battalions of the 1st North Dakota. 
tAVo battalions of the 1st Idaho and one battalion of the 1st Wyoming as 
reserves and support. 

The Spanish line of defenses consisted of a continuous intrench- 
ment, broken by three strongholds — the fort at Malate, blockhouse li 
and the fortified English cemetery. General Greene's brigade was 
to attack and take the first and strongest, while General ^lacArthur's 
brigade was to attack the blockhouse and cemetery. The entire field 
of operations covered little more than a square mile, but the Amer- 
icans had a fearful country to fight in. Barb-wire fences, bamboo 
jungles, paddy fields, swamps, streams and sharpened pickets had to 
be passed before I'eachiug the Spanish line. The taking of the trenches 
and fort at Malate by the 1st Colorado was the most brilliant and 
spectacular act of the day, but a savage ambuscade over at Singalon, 
near bhtcklmuse 14, was the most deadly, for four men were killed 
in tlie .\sl(ii' battciy ami l.'itli Minnesota and 23d infantry, while nearly 



MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 107 

thirty were wounded. Had it not been for the timely advance of the 
13th Minnesota and 23d artillery the Astor battery would have been 
almost wiped out. 

Beginning the Advance on Manila. 

Early in the morning the two brigades began the advance from 
Camj) Dewey. Eveiy man carried rations for one day and went in light 
marching order. The story told by Major Bell of the bureau of in- 
formation, who acted as one of General Greene's aids during the day, 
gives a good idea of the operations of the 2d brigade. The men in the 
camp were up at 5 o'clock, ready for the start. 

General Babcock arrived from the Newport soon after the main 
body of troops had advanced from the camp, and he and Major Bell 
followed on horseback, soon passing the troops. Major Bell, sheltered 
by clumps of bamboo, crept up from the farthest American trench, 
where the Utah artillery, the 1st Colorado and a battalion of the 3d 
artilleiy were waiting the order to attack, along the beach to a position 
barely 500 yards from the fort at Malate, to make a reconuoissance of 
the Spanish guns. Two days before he had done the same and had re- 
ported that one of the Spanish guns had been removed. On this later 
reconuoissance it was his object to determine where that gun had been 
placed. 

Orders were then given for four companies of the 1st Colorado 
to begin an advance. Two companies, C and D, were sent out in front 
of the trenches, and two otljers, I and K, were sent along the beach 
under cover of the fire of Companies C and D. As C and D took their 
places out in a skirmish line in front of the trench, I and K, advanc- 
ing from the rear of the trenches, proceeded along in the surf at the 
beach, wading an intervening stream and boldly entering the fort. 
Companies C and D fell in behind; then came the 2d battalion of the 
1st California, under Colonel Smith and Major Sime, who were in reserve 
behind the firing line, but who advanced directly behind the Colorado 
troops. 

A Race for the Spanish Colors. 

Major Bell was ahead of the Colorado soldiers, bent on reaching 
the fort first to take down the Spanish flag, but, the Spanish opening 



108 MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 

fire from their iutrenchments, he was called bac-k to allow the Colo- 
rados to fire several volleys. This cost him the flag, for Colonel McCoy 
and Adjutant Brooks, in the van of their troops, reached the Spanish 
position, dashed over the trenches, followed by a rushing mass of Colo- 
rado men, plunged into the old fort and took down the Spanish flag and 
hauled up the American. Just behind the Colorado men came the 
regimental band, wading the stream and playing their instruments 
with wonderful persistence and questionable harmony. The band made 
the hit of the day. The Colorado troops then began an advance toward 
the city, but the 1st California, by not stopping at the fort, had passed 
them and were cari-ying everything before them in a rush through 
Malate, with the Spaniards retreating in broken order and firing from 
dooryards and windows and from the protection of houses. A heavy 
fire met the 1st Colorados after passing the fort and seemed to come 
from the marshes over to the right of the road. It was in this fire that 
Charles Phoenix of Company I was killed and several others were 
wounded. 

Taking Care of the Insurgents. 

The four companies of the 1st California proceeded on through the 
Calle Keal in Malate, Colonel Smith dropping guards at every house 
flying the English flag, to protect it from the insurgents, who were 
scrambling along in tiae wake of the Californians' victorious advance. 
The insurgents were firing as they came along. It was here that 
Major Jones of the transportation department and Interpreter Finlay 
distinguished themselves. The insurgent firing had become hot for 
even the Americans, and Major Jones took an American flag, planted 
liimself in the middle of the road and with drawn revolver stopped the 
entire advance of the insurgents. 

Captain O'Connor, with a small guard, advanced to the very city 
walls in the face of large bodies of Sjjanish soldiers and posted himself 
on the Puente Espafia, the principal bridge of tlie city, h'ading from 
the business section to tlie walled city. 

The Californians advanced to the road leading around the walled 
city and intercei)ted tlie insurgents who were flockiijg in along tlie road 
from Santa Afia. The latter were firing on the retreating Si)iiniards, 
and the Californians came in direct line of the fire. The Sjianiards 
were returning the insurgent fire, and the Americans were between 



MEBRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. lOD 

the- too forces. It was here that Private Dunmore of Company B, 1st 
California, was killed and H. Ammerson wounded. The California 
men held their fire, and by doing so avoided a general conflict which 
would have been as disastrous as it would have been useless. The in- 
surgent advance was stopped. Colonel Smith then advanced to the 
roads leading from Paco and stopped another troop of insurgents who 
were attempting to enter the walled city. One pompous insurgent in 
a gorgeous uniform announced that they were going on, but when 
Major Bell drew his revolver and threatened to kill any one attempting 
to pass, the insurgent officer became submissive and polite. The Ameri- 
cans then formed in line and forced the insurgents up the street and 
into a side street. They next attempted to get in by another street, but 
were forestalled. 

General Greene Enters the City. 

General Greene came up under a scattering fire with hig staff and 
met a Spanish official who awaited him at one of the gates of the city. 
The general entered the city alone with the Spaniards and the arrange- 
ments for the occupation were made. Over to the north of the city there 
was hot fighting between the insurgents and the Spaniards, but the 
latter held them back. The Spaniards in those trenches remained at 
their guns, resisting the insurgents, until 7 P. M. the following day, 
and were among the last who gave up their arms. They complained at 
being compelled to fight after the city had surrendered. 

General MacArthur's brigade was having a hot fight over in the 
Singalon district. The Spanish deserted their trenches at the advance 
of the Americans, but retreated to dense clumps of bamboos and am- 
buscaded the Americans as the latter advanced. In was in this ambus- 
cade that August Thollen of the 23d infantry. Sergeants Cremins and 
Holmes of the Astor battery and Archie Patterson of the 13th Min- 
nesota were killed and a great number wounded. The Minnesota men, 
the Astor battery and the 23d infantry did brilliant work in this sec- 
tion, and their record in the fight is the most brilliant of the day. 

As MacArthur's brigade in regular order swept the Spaniards out 
of blockhouse No. 14 and the English cemetery, driving them back, the 
brigade fell in behind General Greene's brigade and entered Malate 
from the east. 



110 MERRITT AND DEWFA' CAl'TURE MANILA. 



The Battle as Seen from the Bay. 

At 9 o'clock sharp the Olvmpia's cngiues began to throb, and as 
the flagship moved slowly forward the national ensign floated from all 
mastheads. 

The Charleston, which had been lying near Malate for several days, 
steamed slowly over and joined the squadron, and a few minutes more 
saw the Olympia, Baltimore, Monterey, Charleston, Boston, Petrel, 
Raleigh, McCulloch, Callao, Barcelo, Zafiro and the Kwonghoi bear- 
ing off toward Malate. It was a magnificent sight. When the Olympia 
passed the Immortalitt' the band on the latter struck up a few bars of 
"See, the Conquering Hero Comes," swung into the swell of "Star- 
Spangled Banner" and then broke into the lively, inspiriting "El Capi- 
tan." It was gi-eat. As the American ships left the ships in the Cuvite 
anchorage the Immortality and Iphigenia got under way, and, steam- 
ing swiftly across to the German and French ships, took up their sta- 
tions directly between the Gorman flagship and Admiral Dewey's ships. 
The German admiral as promptly got under way, and took a place in 
line with the Englishmen. It was only an incident, but the significance 
of the British move was tremendously apparent. 

Navy Begins Its Share of the Work. 

At 4,000 yards the order came to commence firing when ready, and 
at 9:35 o'clock the Olympia opened with a G-pounder, and almost 
simultaneously one of the forward 8-inch guns crashed and every 
glass was turned toward the target. The shots fell short, due to a 
mistake in the range, which was caused by a miragic effect, making the 
shore line appear closer. The order was then given to get the 5-inch 
guns ready, and the range was made for 4,200 yards. Two 5-inch guns 
from Ensign Taylor's battery blazed out, then one of Stokely Morgan's 
8-inch forward guns and then another 5-inch gun. Then came the order 
to cease firing. 

Up to this time — 9:50 o'clock — the Spaniards had not returned 
the fire, and it was suspected that they were reserving it for a closer 
range, or else, as appeared probable, the fort had been deserted. The 
Raleigh and Petrel had joined in, the Raleigh's magnificent battery of 



MERRITT AND DEWEY CArTURE MANILA. HI 

rapid fire 5-inch guns and the Petrel's 6-inch guns plowing holes in the 
landscape and altering the sky line of the fort. 

At 9:50 o'clock the army, which was advancing toward the fort, 
began firing, and the smoke from their volleys hung in white clouds 
over their position. Five minutes later there was almost incessant 
firing from the army, and masses of white smoke w'ere seen leaping out 
from the fort and the Spanish trenches in answer. At 3,500 yards the 
order was given again on the Olympia to commence firing, and at 10 
o'clock she opened again, but the shots fell short and to the right. The 
rain now- began to fall in a steady drizzle, and the Admiral and Lieu- 
tenant Brumby put on raincoats, the former changing his naval cap for 
a cloth traveling cap. 

Work of the Captured Gunboats. 

At 10 o'clock the Callao, very close in shore moving along 
parallel with the army's advance, was raking the Spanish trenches 
with a deadly fire from the machine guns. Lieutenant Tappan was 
doing wonderful work with the little gunboat, and several Spanish 
volleys were fired on him as the vessel advanced. A number of bullets 
struck her, but no one was hurt, and she kept up a steady grind- 
ing out from her Nordenfeldt and Hotchkiss. The little Barcelo, close 
behind, was pumping her machine guns in with magnificent effective- 
ness. Like the little Petrel in the battle of May 1, the Callao and 
Barcelo seemed to be in the thickest of the fight, and on account of their 
nearness to shore to be most aggressive and daring. 

From the Olympia the movements of the land forces now became 
distinguishable. Where a few moments before their position was 
marked only by the smoke which rose above the trees from the bat- 
teries and volley firing, now 't was plainly seen that a great number of 
soldiers were boldly advancing up the open beach and straggling for- 
ward in the heavy surf. It was a gallant sight to see the long line 
of brown uniforms streaming up the beach, some waist deep in the surf 
dashing out along the unprotected strip of sand which lay between 
them and the old fort, where the Spanish guns were expected to blaze 
out any minute in their faces. A scattering fire came from the Spanish 
trenches, and at 10:15 o'clock the troops on the beach stopped and 
answered with three A^olleys. 



JlL' MEKlilTT AND DEWEY CArTURE MANILA. 



Admiral Dewey Pays a Compliment. 

When they crossed the little stream about 200 yards in front of the 
fort, holding- their guns high in the air to keep them fi'om being soaked, 
with the regimental Hag and national ensign tlying bravely at the front, 
with their regimental band valiantly following and i)laying for dear life, 
there were thousands of eyes watching them from the ships with silent, 
almost breathless, anxiety. Slowly they drew nearer the fort, with the 
Mausers spattering along before them and the baud playing. The Ad- 
miral said that it was the most gallant advance he had ever seen. The 
Colorado regimental band was playing "There'll Be a Hot Time in the 
Old Town To-night." 

Just before the trooj)s I'eached the powder magazine there was a 
tremendous explosion and a dense column of black smoke sprang up 
behind the fort. It was thought that a mine concealed in the road had 
been exploded. The smoke hung in the air and it was seen that the 
explosion was followed by a fii-e. The fort was now deep in smoke from 
other explosions and the Spanish firing. 

As the troops advanced along the beach and approached nearer 
the fort the army signaled the fleet to cease firing. The fort was still 
silent. 

At 10:5S a storm of cheers broke out from the Olympia, for the 
soldiers had passed the zone of fire and were clambering over the 
Spanish trenches and swarming into the fort. Hardly a moment passed 
before the yellow and red Hag was seen to be coming down, and the 
next minute the American flag was raised in its place. 

Preparing for tlie Surrender. 

This was evidently the lime agreed upon for the city to surrender, 
for an order was at once given by the Admiral to fly our international 
signal, "Do you surreiuler?" At 11 o'clock it was fluttering from the 
forward signal halyards of the flagship. With the hoisting of this sig- 
nal came a general .shifting of the positions of the fleet, and all the 
vessels, with the exception bf the Callao, Concord and Barcelo, took 
their positions before the heavy batteries of Manila. The Monterey 
.-teamed to a very close range and waited. Every gun in the fleet that 
could be trained in that direction was pointed on the Manila guns. If 



MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 113 

any one of those four 9.2-iiicli Hontoria guns had let loose at least n 
hundred shells would have been launched in on them in less time than 
it takes to read about it. 

A huge Spanish flag was floating bravely over the city walls near 
one of the heavj^ batteries and it did not seem to come down with any 
particular haste. Nearly every one was watching that gorgeous piece of 
bunting and hoping that it would be lowered, but in its persistent 
waving there was certainly no indication of surrender or weakening. 

The Zafiro, with General Merritt, approached the Olympia, and 
as if by a preconcerted agreement the flagship signaled that Flag 
Lieutenant Brumby would report on board the Zafiro. At 11:45 the 
Admiral left the bridge to meet Consul Andre, the Belgian representa- 
tive, whose launch had just reached the flagship. Lieutenant Brumby 
took the largest American flag on the ship and went aboard the launch. 
General Whittier of General Merritt's staff came over from the Zafiro 
in a pulling boat, and also went aboard the launch Trueno. A few 
minutes later the launch steamed away toward Manila, 1,.500 yards 
away. 

At 12 o'clock the international signal "C. F. L.," meaning "hold 
conference," was hoisted over the city walls. 

Then followed a long wait. The ofiicers and men on the ships had 
dinner, the guns were kept trained on the Manila batteries, and the 
big Spanish flag still swung in the breezes above the beleaguered city. 

Soon after 2 o'clock the Belgian consul's boat was seen to be re 
turning. This seemed to mean that an agreement had not been reached, 
for the presence of the Spanish colors certainly did not look like 
capitulation. 

When the Good News Came. 

At 2:33 o'clock Lieutenant Brumby, climbing up the sea ladder to 
the Olympia's quarterdeck, called out to the Admiral: "Well, they've 
surrendered all right." 

The Admiral quickly answered, "Why don't they haul down that 
flag?" 

"They'll do that as soon as Merritt gets COO or 700 men in there to 
protect them," explained Lieutenant Brumby. 

The Admiral then said: "Well, you go over and tell General Mer- 
ritt that I agree to anything." 



114 MKItRlTT AND DEWEY CAPTl'RE MANILA. 

As (he news jtassed that the city had suiTendered, (he riggiiifi; was 
manned and tremendous cheers broke out over the dull sea. All the 
ships of the fleet were cheerinf^- as the news was signaled. 

At 5:45 the Spanish flag in the city was seen slowly coniiug down. 
and a minute later the enormous American flag was hoisted in its place. 
Just as the huge flag went up, the sun, which through the greater por- 
tion of the. day had been obscured, now burst through the clouds hang- 
ing over Manilii and illuminated the banner with a blaze of light. It 
was as opportune as the calcium light in the theater which falls on the 
center of the stage when the star enters. 

The ships of (he lleet saluted the new Hag witli I wciity-nnc guns 
each. In ten minutes 189 saluting charges were tired. 

At G o'clock the band on the ilag(;hip struck up "The N'iclory of 
Manila," and Manila was ours. 

American Soldiers in Manila. 

By 10 o'clock 10,000 soldiers were in the ci(y. The 2d Oregon 
patrolled the walled city and g-uarded its nine entrances. General 
Greene marched his brigade around the walled city into Binondo. The 
1st California was .sent east to the fashionable official residence disti'ict 
of Malacanay, the 1st Colorado was sent into Tondo and the 1st Ne- 
braska was established on the north shore of the Pasig river, Mac- 
Arthur's brigade patrolled Ermita and Malate. 

In the walled city the Spaniards had surrendered their arms at 
the governor's palace. By nightfall over 7,000 rifles had been surren- 
dered, and by the following evening nearly 1,000 more were turned in. 
The big American flag Avas hoisted by Lieutenant Brumby, and a.s (lie 
Oregonians entered from the Kwonghoi the afternoon of the fight llieir 
band struck up "The Star-Spangled Banner." The women wept as llie 
Spanish ensign went down, and the soldiers cheered as (he American 
flag went up. 

The night of the hat lie was iiiiiet. E.\cei)t for a few cases reported 
of the insurgents lootijig (he houses of Spaniards, (here was no dis- 
order. The American .soldiers at once began to fraternize with the 
Spanish soldii-rs. Terms of capitulation were agreed upon promptly 
between American and Sjianish commanders and the occujjation of the 
Spanish ca]pital nf tlie I'liili]i]iines was comiilet(\ General MerritCs 



MERRITT AKD DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 115 

first great task after that of safely transporting an army across tlie 
Pacific was accomplislied. His own report is but a just appreciation 
of the excellence of the work done by his men. Its expressions of ap- 
proval are no warmer than those given to General Merritt himself by 
those who know his work. It closed as follows: 

General Merritt Praises the Army. 

"Immediately after the surrender the Spanish colors on the sea 
front were hauled down and the American flag displayed and saluted 
by the guns of the navy. The 2d Oregon Regiment, which had pro- 
ceeded by sea from Cavite, was disembarked and entered the walled 
town as a provost guard, and the colonel was directed to receive the 
Spanish arms and deposit them in places of security. The town was 
filled with the troops of the enemy driven in from the entrenchments, 
regiments formed and standing in line in the streets, but the work of 
disarming proceeded quietly and nothing unpleasant occurred. 

"In leaving the subject of the operations of the 13th I desire here 
to record my appreciation of the admirable manner in which the orders 
for attack and the plan for occupation of the city were carried out by 
the troops exrtctly as contemplated. I submit that for troops to enter 
under fire a town covering a wide area, to rapidly deploy and guard all 
principal points in the extensive suburbs, to keep out the insurgent 
forces pressing for admission, to quietly disarm an army of Spaniards 
more than equal in numbers to the American troops, and finally by all 
this to prevent entirely all rapine, pillage, and disorder, and gain en- 
tire and complete possession of a city of 300,000 people filled with na- 
tives hostile to the European interests, and stirred up by the knowledge 
that their own people were fighting in the outside trenches, was an act 
which only the law-abiding, temperate, i*esolute American soldier, well 
and skillfully handled by his regimental and brigade commanders, 
could accomplish." 

President McKinley Sends Congratulations. 

As soon as possible for messages to pass by steamer between Manila 
and Hong Kong and by cable to and from Washington, the following 
were received from President McKinley: 



116 MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA.. 

"Executive ^lansion, Washington, D. C, August 21. — Admiral 
Dewey, Manila: Receive for yourself aud the officers, sailors and ma- 
rines of your couiuiaud my thanks aud congratulations and those of 
the nation for the gallant conduct all have again so conspicuously dis- 
jjlaved. 

"WILLIAM Mckinley." 



"Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C, August 21. — Major-General 
Merritt, U. S. A., Manila: In my own behalf and for the nation I extend 
to you and the otUcers and men of your command sincere thanks and 
congratulations for the conspicuously gallant conduct displayed in your 
camijaigu. 

"WILLIAM McKINLEY." 



Formal Terms of Capitulation. 

The formal terms of capitulation signed by the American and Span 
ish officers designated for that purpose at Manila were as follows: 

The undersigned, having been appointed a commission to determine 
the details of the capitulation of the city and defenses of Manila and 
its siiburbs and the ^^panish forces stationed therein, in accordau'-e with 
agreement entered into the previous day by Major-(5eneral Wesley 
Merritt, United States Arm\', American commander-in-chief in» the 
Philippines, and his excellency Don Fermin .laudenes, acting general- 
in-cliief of the Spanish army in the l*hilipiiines, have agreed upon the 
following: 

1. The Spanish troojis, ICuropcan and native, caiiitulalc with the 
citj- and defenses with all Ininurs of war, depositing Ihcii- arms in the 
l>laces designated by the authorities of the United States, and remain- 
ing ill the quarters designated and under the orders of their officers 
and subject to control of the aforesaid United States authorities, until 
the conclusion of a treaty of peace between the two belligerent nations. 
All persons included in the capitulation remain at liberty; the officers 
remaining in their respective homes, which shall be respected as long 
as they observe the I'cgiilations jircscrihcd for their government and the 
laws in force. 

2. Ofliccrs shall retain ihcir side arms, horses and private urop- 



MERKirr AND DEWEY CAi'Tl KE MANILA. H" 

erty. All public liurses aud public property of all kiuds aliall be turued 
over to the staff officers desiguated by the United States. 

3. Complete returns iu duplicate of men by organizations and full 
lists of public property and stores shall be rendered to the United 
States within ten days from this date. 

4. All questions relating to the repatriation of officers and men of 
the Spanish forces and of their families and of the expenses which said 
repatriation may occasion shall be referred to the government of the 
United States at Washington. Spanish families may leave Manila at 
any time convenient to them. The return of the arms surrendered by 
the Spanish forces shall take place when they evacuate the city or when 
the American army evacuates. 

5. Officers and men included in the capitulation shall be supplied 
by the United States according to their rank with rations and necessary 
aid, as though they were prisoners of war, until the conclusion of the 
treaty of peace between the United States and Spain. All the funds 
iu the Spanish treasury and all other public funds shall be turued over 
to the authorities of the United States. 

G. This city, its inhabitants, its churches and religious worship, 
its educational establishments and its private property of all descrip- 
tions are placed under the safeguard of the faith and honor of the Amer- 
ican army. 

F. W. GREENE, 
Brigadier-General of A'olunteers, United States Army. 

B. P. LAMBERTON, 

Captain United States Navy. 
CHARLES A. WHITTIER, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Inspector-General. 
E. H. CROWDER, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Judge Advocate. 
NICHOLAS DE LA PENA, 

Auditor-General Excts. 
CARLOS REYES, 

Colonel de Ingineros. 
JOSE MARIA OLAQUEN, 

Felia de Estado Major. 



118 MERRITT AND DEWEY CAPTURE MANILA. 



"War with the Spanish Ended. 

The American army was encamped where most available for service 
in the event of any sort of an uprising or other emergency call. The 
commanding general assigned various officers of his staff to civic duties 
in the organization of a new regime. Spaniards, Americans and Filipinos 
dwelt side by side in a measure of peace and harmony. Major-General 
Merritt issued a proclamation to the people informing them that his 
intention was to protect them in all their rights. There remained only 
the necessity of waiting for peace to be declared to end all difficulties. 
But the Filipinos were yet to be reckoned with. 




Copyrighted, 1899, by Josepn L. Stickney. 

AFTER DEWEY'S GUNS FIRED. 

The face of the Malate battery, south of Manila, after the warships had fired 
upon it, August 13, 1898, the day Manila was fallen. 




FILIPINO INTRENCHMENTS 

This picture shows a large, old-fashioned gun taken from Cavite arsen^i before any difficulties 
arose between the United States and the Filipinos. 



CHAPTER VI. 

ANCESTRY AXD CHILDHOOD OF GEORGE DEWEY. 

"The Child Is the Father of the Man" — Origin of the Dewey Family — Nine 
Generations Born in America — The Grandfather of the Admiral — 
Dewey's Father and His Traits — Stories of the Home Life and the 
Youth of the Coming Hero — Boyish Pranks and Their Punishment — 
A Voyage in a Buggy — School Life and Schoolmates — Appointment 
to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. 

The greatest biographers of the greatest men have recognized al- 
ways that there is a large element of wisdom and truth in the old 
adage, "The child is the father of the man." Every child contains within 
him in embiyo the qualities that he displays in maturity. Environ- 
ment and training will develop certain latent qualities beyond others 
according as the influences are directed, but it is to be doubted if they 
can ever create in the man any capacity which was not born in him. 
Any study of man which fails to take cognizance of both environment 
and heredity will fail in completeness. So it is that although in America 
we are proud to feel that ancestry has little influence in establishing a 
man's station among his fellow men, and that each must be judged for 
liimself by his own works, it is impossible to ignore the factor of family 
in discovering the soi;rce of the qualities which gain any station for 
their possessor". 

The American Deweys came to the colonies from England, but they 
Avere immigrants to England as well some generations earlier, for the 
family was of French extraction. In its original form the name was 
spelled Deueua. Early records of the family show worthy service in 
many walks of life, one of the ancestors having been a successful general 
in the French armies. 

George Dewey a Real American. 

George Dewey is of the ninth generation from the first Dewey who 
■came to America. This progenitor of the American branch oi the family 

131 



V2-2 AN'CKSTKV AND (1 1 1 1.1 H !<)( )|) Ol" ( i !■;( )|{( ; I'. 1 i|;\\"K V. 

emifirated from Saudwich in ltt:33, bcariiij;' liis aiiccsiial anus ami 
motto, "To the conqueror a crown is due." He settled in Doicliestcr, 
in the ^Massachusetts Bay cohjuy, and from there the family scattered, 
in later years one branch locatin<»' in New York and one in Veniioiil. 
It is from the latter that the i^reat admiral is descended. 

One of the chief characteristics of these two eider hrauclu^s of the 
family in America was their mathematical ability. They Avere keen 
business men as well, able to fi;;ure out the chances iji enterprises 
involviuji' great risk, and willinj;' to take any risk necessaiw when the 
chances had been once satisfactorily calculated. Another character- 
istic was their exceeding independence. They preferred to make their 
own calculation and accept the responsibility for their own actions, 
rather than seek advice. They were not even clannish with their rela- 
tives, seeming to choose their friendships within or without the family, 
as was most congenial to them, irrespective of the degree of consan- 
guinity and not assuming intimacy in the family if there happened to 
be none. 

Admiral Dewey's Immediate Ancestry. 

Simeon Dewey, th(» grnudiathcr ni (leuigi' Ucwey, was born in 
Hanover, New Hampshire, wlicn tlie peojile of America were learning 
the value of freedom and realizing that they could never submit to 
government from over the sea. In early manhood he bought a farm 
in I'erlin, Vermont, only four miles from Montpelier, the capital of the 
(Ireen Mountain state, and there the admiral's father was born in ISOl. 

This grandfather, Simeon Dewey, was one nf the long-lived membei's 
of the long-lived family. One ant-cdote relates that Mr. Charles Dewey, 
the admiral's brother, when in Kuglaud some lime ago, happened to 
hear a British theory for American degeneracy. 

'•American.s," said the critic, "are undersized and die early because 
they live upon pork and ice- water." 

Mr. Dewey hastened to thank his informant, replying that until 
then it had always been a niysieiy \n liini why his grandlather Simeon 
had been i)rcmalurely cul nlV .ii I lie early age of iiinety-ihree. Tn hiiii 
pork and ice water weri' essentials. 



ANCESTRY AND CHILDHOOD OF GEOR(iK DKWKV 12:: 



Montpelier Becomes the Family Home. 

When the admii-al's father, Julius Yemans Dewey, was twenty-one 
years ohl, in 1822, he left the farm and removed to Montpelier, settlin^i 
there and man-ying Miss Mary Perrin three years later. Of this nniou 
four children were born, Charles, Edward, George and Mary. Th(» 
mother died when George was but five years old, but the father was 
married twice more before his own career on earth ended ;it the age of 
seventy-six years. 

Here in Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, George Dewey was borij 
on December 26, 1837. The house of his birth still stands almo.st as it 
was then, a modest, neat New England home like thousands of others 
out of which have come strong men and women to do their part in the- 
battles of life. 

Characteristics of Dewey's Father. 

The father of the family was a man of the highest New Englamf 
type, a man who must be credited with much of Avhat his son became. 
He was worthy of observation for his sterling qualities. He had been a. 
school-teacher in Montpelier and in that way had earned money which 
enabled him to study medicine and take his degree. It is still re- 
memberwl that he was an early riser and that he taught his childi'cn 
to follow his example. He was a man of deep religious convictions and 
as active and energetic in the practical work of the church as he was 
in all other duties that rose before him. He was the founder of Christ 
Episcopal church in Montpelier, where his children were bajitized, con- 
firmed and went to Sunday school, George with the others. Family 
prayers and grace before meals were the practice of tJie Dewey home. 
Hymns were sung on Sunday evenings, the doctor leading (lie singing. 

Dr. Dewey a Valued Neighbor. 

Dr. Dewey possessed exactly the characteristics thai make meu 
remembered and loved wherever they live. He loved not only his own 
children but all children and this trait the admiral inherited fron? 
him. He told stories and brought siiiisliine with him wiu-rever lie went.. 



124 ANCESTRY AND CHILUUOOD (^F GP:ORGE DEWEY. 

so that all over the suiTouiuling couutrj he was a welcome vi.sitor in 
spite of the fact that his visits signalled the presence of sickness in 
the house. He was fond of music and poetry, the works of Burns, 
Shakespeare and Cowper standing tirst in his literar3' choice. 

The doctor was a busy man all his life. When by his practice he 
had earned and by careful administration had saved a considerable 
sum of money, he was fifty years of age. Then he organized the Na- 
tional life insurance company of Montpelier, which prospered under 
his direction until before his death he had seen it grow to be an institu- 
tion of great jtrosperity and some financial magnitude. He was still in 
active labor when he died in 1S~~. 

The Little City of Montpelier. 

The Montpelier into which George Dewey was boi-n on the day after 
Christmas, 1837, was not immensely diflerent from the Montpelier of 
to-day. There were the same white cottages with green blinds, the 
same picket fences, the same river and the same New England hills. 
The people were prosperous and thrifty as they are now. Fine elms 
lined the streets as they do to-day, and the town was clean and well- 
kept. The Deweys always have been leading men in the jilace, at the 
head of movements for education and improvement of all sorts. 

The cottage which was the admiral's birthplace has been moved 
from its former site just opposite the capitol building, to another posi- 
tion down the street. In former days the Onion river, now called the 
Winoo.ski, ran just behind the house, and many of the tales of Dewey's 
childhood are connected with this river. One (dd friend in a reminiscent 
frame of mind recalls his lirs) introdmtion to little George when he 
was brought from the river, a barefoot boy, to meet the stranger in the 
parlor. The boy was fortunate in having a loving sister Mary, two 
years yoiinger than hims«'lf, who admired his prowess and imix'rsouated 
wliatever character was necessary to make his own i)lay comi)l('te. 
They lislied tdgethcr and took iiiniintaiii (ramps (dgcliicr as other child- 
ren do to-day. 

Childhood Sooks and Sports. 

George was not a great reader, but "Hobinson Crusoe" won his favor 
and suggested new games. Tiien when he was ten, his big twelve-year- 
old biolher Charles gave liini a "i>ife of il;iiiiiil)al." A big snow-drift 



ANCESTRY AND CHILDHOOD OF GEORGE DEWEY. 125 

answered for the Alps, and the two yoimf>er chiklren set to Avork to 
emulate the Carthaginian invader. Marj suffered a week's sickness 
in bed thereby, but George escaped unscathed from the adventure. 

By the older people of Montpelier, George Dewey is remembered 
las a good deal of a rogue. He was a harum-scarum lad, always in 
•mischief, and more than one of his pranks are remembered to this day. 
He was the best swimmer among all the boj-s of his age and nothing- 
was too reckless for him to undertake. At winter sports he was re- 
garded as one of the best in the village. In the summer one of his 
chief pleasures was climbing such trees as contained the earliest apples 
and the choicest cherries, and it was never observed that he was over 
particular whose orchard he visited. 

Young Dewey a Fighter. 

He was something of a lighter too, and while details are lacking 
of such contemporaneously trivial things as a boj^'s battles, yet the 
memory of the people of Montpelier is that George always was the 
victor. They declare that he was a born leader in everything that rose 
for discussion and execution. 

A favorite amusement of the youngsters was the giving of circuses, 
dramas and minstrel shows in the DeAvey barn. George was impres- 
sario, director, prompter, business and stage manager and usually star 
of the performances. The same kind sister was at his service there as 
elsewhere, though she did not enjoy participating in the shows. On 
one occasion, however, she relates, the ten-year-old leading lady was 
missing and George drew her into service as an understudy to play 
the part at a moment's notice. To her protest that she did not know 
all the lines, he answered that that made no difference, as he would 
fire his pistol at any place where she stumbled and that would conceal 
her difficulty. The solution was a happy one. The audience was de- 
lighted at the interpolation, failing to discover the depth of the scheme, 
and the affair passed off without a hitch. Then the neighbors made a 
protest on the pistol feature of the play, and Dewey's father forbade 
further shows of the sort. 

The First Cruise of the Admiral. 

Among the stories related by his old friends at Montpelier is one 
of what has been known jocularly as the admiral's first cruise. One 



V2(; AM KSTHV AND CHILDHOOD OF GEORGE DEWEY. 

day wlii'u hi' was uot mere than cloven, says a writer iu the Review 
of Iteviews, he started out in his father's buggy, accompanied by his 
friend, Will l\<'dlield, bent upon an overland trip of adventure — to 
drive the cows home, it has been said. But when they came to the Dog 
river, which enters the Winooski some distance from the town, they 
found it higher than the oldest inhabitant ever had seen it, the ford 
impassable from recent rains. William jirndently counseled turning 
back, but to tbi»the future admiral would nol listen. 

When Dewey went Ahead. 

"What man has done, man can du,'' he said, and went at the ford 
"four bells." Needless to say, he found no bottom; the superstructure 
of his frail craft, which in this case was the buggy body, went adrift and 
floated swiftly away toward Lake Champlaiu, while the admiral, serene 
as ever, and the thoroughly frightened William, clambered on board 
the horse and nninaged to land in safety. When the boy reached home, 
the doctor was away on a professional call, and an innate sense of 
strategy bade George go directly to bed, without waiting for supper. 
The father found him apparently asleep, but was not deceird, and 
immediately began to chide him for his rashness, when his son replied 
from tlie depths of the covers: 

"You ouglit to be thankful tliat my life wa(li tiipared." 

When the School Teacher Whipped Dewey. 

When the time came for (ieorge Dewey to begin his scliool days, he 
was sent first to the Washington county grammar school in Montpelier. 
Like manj' another school it had a bad reputation for order and more 
than one teacher had been compelled to give up the effort to control 
the youngsters there. Young Dewey was not backward in the troubles. 
There seems no doubt that he was a "sassy," obstinate schoolboy and 
(hat he deserved the punishment that came to him at last. 

The person who "licked" him was a weak, undersized scho(d teacher, 
weighing lunely pound.s. Tiiis school teacher is now Major Z. K. Pang- 
born, editor of the Jersey City Journal, and tliis is the story he tells 
of how he took charge of the school, found it in a condition of chronic 



ANCESTKV AND OIIILDHODL) OF GEOKGE DEWEV. 127 

revolt a,i>;uiiwt autlunity, with Dewey as the riugleader, and of how he 
queHed the joiiug rebels: 

"I took charge aud for the first week there was no outbreak, (xeorge 
Dewey was one of the boldest and brightest of the younger lads, aud 
above all things loved a fight. He Avas ever looking for trouble. He 
had the personal qualities of a leadei", and while there was nothing 
you could call bad about him, he resented authority aud evinced a 
sturdy determination not to submit to it unless it suited him. 

The Young Man Becomes Impudent. 

"The crisis arrived in this fashion. After the usual afternoon recess 
one Mondaj^ Dewey did not return to the school room. I sent for him, 
but the messenger returned with the message that George had declaretl 
that he wasn't coming and that I might go to the devil. After school 
that day, George, who had climbe<l into the cupola of the old statehouse, 
amused himself by pelting the children with snowballs, and when I went 
out aud commanded him to come down, he again advised me to go to 
the devil. 

"I was mad, and when I got home I spent the evening perfecting a 
plau of cauqjaigu for the next day. T first of all provided myself with a 
very substantial rawhide, and at a late hour that night took it to the 
school room and placed it over the ledge of the entrance door where 
it would be ready to my hand when I entered school next day. I also 
secured two or three round sticks of cord wood and placed them on top 
of the wood box in the school room where I could reach them easily. 
I then went to bed and slept like a baby, for I had resolved that when 
the rumpus started I would be the first to fire a broadside. 

"Dewey came to school the next day as if nothing had happened 
and took his place at his desk as demurely as any young miss of them 
all. His smile was both childlike aud bland. I wasted no time in pre- 
liminaries, but as soon as the scholars were in their places, I summoned 
Dewey to the platform in a terrible voice. 

"He came with a sassy twinkle in his eyes, and seemed to survey my 
slender proportions with a contempt bordering on amusement. Then I 
began to talk. I summed up the head and front of his offending in a 
voice that brought ice to the window-panes, and wound up by saying 
that he must forthwith say he was sorrv for having misbehaved him- 



12S AX("Ei*TRY AXl) CniLDHOOD OF GEORGE DEWEY. 

self, apolo<;ize both to lue and to the school for what he had done and 
l)iomise to be obedient and orderly in the futnre. I told him if he did 
uiit do this I should ]niuish him tiieu and there. 

A Defeat for the Future Admiral. 

"Dewey laup,hed, and, if I remember aright, he once more invited me 
in quick, nervy sentences to go to the devil. The next instant, I and the 
rawhide were winding and tossing around DeAvey like the fire of one of 
the warships that have made his name famous the world over. I was 
little and slender, but so also was the rawhide and the two of us so 
demoralized Dewey that almost before I was aware of it he w-as lying in 
a heap on the floor. Ue was bleeding from a wound in the hand, and 
whim])ering as any boy wo\ild at receiving so tremendous a thrashing. 
He was conquered, while I glared over his prostrate form at the other 
rebellions spirits in the school. 

''For an instant they sat motionless, so extreme was theii- surprise. 
Then seven of them started up the defile formed by the row of desks, to 
have my blood. But I was ready for them. Seizing a stick of cord- 
wood from the firebox I dealt the first boy who crossed into ray terri- 
tory a blow between the eyes that sent him to the floor with a crash. 
The others paused. 

" 'Sit down!' I roared, and down they all sat. 

"That ended the Dewey revolt." 

When quiet was restored, Mr. Pangborn told Dewey to go home, 
and the teacher went along, the rest of the pupils following. Dr. Dewey 
took culprit and dominie into his study and asked for the story, which 
was related. (Jeorge took off his coat and showed the red stripes across 
liis back. His father was a just man. He told the boy that he had no 
one to blame but himself for the punishment and that if it was not 
enough to teach him a lesson, another would be added to the one already 
given by Mr. Taniiboru. There was no more trouble. 

Life in Johnson Academy. 

Young Dewey (Vas loo big-hear(ed to harbor resentment against the 
schiiol-masler who did not flinch from his duty, and they became great 
fri<-nils. A vear later, when Mr. Paiiuhorn went to the .neighboring 










85 


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^ 


Sil 




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^ 


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25^^^ 




ADMIRAL DEWEY'S WIFE 

(DECEASED) 




ADMIRAL DEWEY'S BROTHERS AND SISTER 



Hon. Charles Dew 



Mrs Mary P. (Dewey) Greeley. 



Capt. Edward Dewey. 





^yp' 



^^^iPJ^ 



i».ji 



RESIDENCE OF HON. CHARLES DEWEY, MONTPELIER, VT. 



NORWICH MILITARY SCHOOL, NORWICH, VT. 

George I)f\vcy .itti'ndcd this sth(«pl at the a^e of 17, and there formed the desire for 
military life which led him lo enter the Naval Academy at Annapolis. 



ANCESTRY AND CHILDHOOD OF GEORGE DEWEY. 133 

toAvn of Johnson to establish an academy, George went there at his 
own request and entered tlie school. One of his old schoolmates at this 
academy tells the following story of an incident of those days: 

"Three or four of ns, including George, used to go to school in 
company and we would meet daily a crowd of smaller boys on their 
way to the district school. They got into the habit of making it inter- 
esting for us whenever we met, by pelting us with snowballs and insult- 
ing remarks. Some of us were disposed to retaliate, but George would 
say, 'Oh, come along, boys. Never mind those little shavers.' 

"But the 'little shavers,' unable to appreciate such forbearance, 
seemed to imbibe the idea that we did not dare to attack them, on 
account of their superior numbers, so grew daily more annoying. One 
day an immense snowball hit George square on the side of his head, 
filling his ear with snow. 

"Handing me his books, in a twinkling he had caught the ringleader 
of our tormentors, and administered such a spanking as the chap would 
not forget in a hurry. If he is alive to-day he is probably proud of hav- 
ing been spanked by Dewey, though at the time he howled like mad. 
The crowd were so dazed at this sudden attack that they stood as if 
paralyzed, and George pushed several over into the snow, and scrubbed 
some faces cleaner than they were wont to be, I dare say, before the 
rest of the enemy gathered their wits enough to take to their heels. 

" 'Father once told me^^. said George, as he brushed off the snow 
and took his books again,j|^ever to fight unless I was obliged to. But if 
you have to fight, fight in earnest!' he saiclT] 

"We had no further trouble with the district school boys that winter. 
The lesson Dewey gave them was as effectual, in its way, as the lessons 
he has given some boys of larger growth, at Manila." 

Planning to Enter the Navy. 

In 1852, when George Dewey was seventeen years of age, he went to 
the Norwich military school at Norwich, Vermont. It was there that 
he formed his admiration for military life and a wish to enter the 
Naval Academy at Annapolis. His father did not think much of sailors 
and said so with the utmost frankness, but he was unwilling to thwart 
the wish of his son and so consented. When Dewey mentioned the 
plan to one of his schoolmates, a boy named Spalding, he found that the 



134 ANCKSTHV ANH < 11 1 1.DIIOOD OF (iEOKliE DEWEV. 

latter had a like aiubitioii. St'iialor Footc of Vermout niadc the choice, 
^iviiiii- S]iaMin<,r tlic aiiiinintiiitMit and iiaiiiing Dewoy as the alternate. 
Then Siialdinji's mother interfered and vetoed the plan of her son, who 
conseijuently was withdrawn from comjietition. By such a narrow 
mari^iu did the future admiral <i;et into the iiav.v at that time. His 
companion, tinishiufj college, entered the ministry and now is the 
Rev. CJeorge B. Spaldinj; of Syracuse, New York. ITe preached a war 
sermon from his pulpit after his old schoolmate's Ljreat victofy. 

Montpelier Proud of Dewey. 

With his departure from Montpelier to enter the Naval Academy, 
youn<' Dewey's actual residence in that toAvn was at an end. Ills two 
brothels still live there, the Hon. Charles Dewey, president of the 
insurance company wdiich his father founded, and Mr. Edward Dewey, 
a director of the same company. The townspeople, however, never have 
lost sight of his career nor have they failed in pride at his success. 
When the news of his great victoi-y came to that little city in Vermont, 
there ^tas a celebration which in heartiness could not be excelled any- 
where, however mu<h it may have been outdone in volume. The streets 
were ilhiminated, the buildings decorated with flags, and the i)eople 
rejoiced in jjublic mtK'tings and in their homes that their distinguish. d 
former fellow townsman had gaineil such merited honor for himself in 
doing such noble service for his countiy. 



CHAPTER VII. 

GEORGE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

Pour Years in tlio Naval Academy at Aiiiiajiolis — hicidcuis of Cadet iAh- — 
A Cruise on the European Station — Rapid J'romoTion for the Younj; 
Officer— Outbreak of the Rebellion— Executive Officer of the "Missis- 
sippi"'— Bra veiy of Dewey When His Vessel Was Destroyed — Men- 
tioned in Official Reports— Service With Farrajiut — At tlie Taking 
of Fort Fislier— What Admiral I'orter Tlioujiht— The End of the War. 

There has beeu no period in the career of Cemoc Dewev in which lie 
has failed to make his mark. As a boy in Vermont, just as it was ih 
Manila bay, he was distinctly ready for any emergency. So it was dur- 
ing the intervening years. At the Annapolis Xaval Academy he made a 
distinct impress by his clear individuality, and prepared the way for the 
distinctions he won inthe war between the states. 

Dewey entered the naval academy in 1854 at the age of seventeen. 
His active, energetic life had brought him strength, endurance and me- 
dium height. ITe needed not to retire before any of his classmates in out- 
door exercises. 

By this time the line was clearly defined in the Naval Academy at 
Anna])olis between boys of the North and of the South, just as it was at 
the Military xVcademy at West Point. Young Dewey was prompt to let 
his position be understood, and equally prompt about getting into 
trouble. The Southern faction discovered in him an uncompromising 
spirit, and a concerted effort was made to provoke a quarrel. The 
effort was successful beyond contemplation. Dewey accepted the appel- 
lation of "Yankee" without a word, for he was proud of it, but "dough 
face" failed to appeal to him, and other lliiugs more galling follow^ed. 

George Dewey Challenged to a Duel. 

Finally the A'ermont cadet waited one day for his tormentor as be 
was coming from the mess-room, knocked him down, and punished him 
dexterously. Not long afterward an inkstand was thrown at his head 



13(5 (;Kt>K(;K i»i;\\i;v i.\ riii; cin u. war. 

in tlif rt'iidinji-nnnii and iinothcr decisive viftciry f(ir the "YaiiktH'" 
followed fast. Hut Soutlu'iu blood, however, was uot williu.n to drop 
the matter at that point. The antaj^oiiist sent a ehallen<:e to Dewev, 
snjigestiufr that he wouhl prefer pistols at elose ranj^e and that the 
dnel must be to the death. The chailenj^e was aeoepted promptly, 
principals and seconds were at the desi<jnated place of nieetiu};, and 
they had actually paced off the distance and were ready to place the 
boys in position when some of their classmates, in alarm, informed 
the officers of the academy, who interfered in haste. 

Tliese quarrels pas.sed, the breaches were healed, and even in the 
times of partisan heat before the war Dewey became <ine of the most 
popular members of the class. 

What the Naval Academy Did for Dewey. 

When the Xaval Academy class of 1858 was graduated fourteen re- 
ceived diplomas out of sixty-five boys who had begun the course to- 
gether. Of the fourteen, George Dewey, then not twenty-(me years old, 
stood fifth in rank. He had not proved himself an excejitional student, 
but in seamanship and other technical branches he excelled. Although 
the school had been organized officially less than ten years when lie 
entered it, and under its imjtroved f(»rm less than five, its curriculum 
was excellent and tiie midsiiipmen of that day were taught not onh- 
how to hand, reef and steer, but also the higher branches of nuithe- 
matics, the modern languages and, of course, gunnery and navigation. 
The student was required to stand upon his own merits. No favoritism 
was shown and no one but himself was to blame if he couhl not pass. 
Discipline was rigid. A high sense of honor was inculcated. It is no 
suri)rise tliat such men as Dewey com(> out of such ancestry and such 
enviidument. 

First Cruise After Graduation. 

Tlie young midshipman's first cruise after graduation was alioard tiie 
(dd steam frigate "Wabasli," under the comnuind of Cajjtain liarron of 
Virginia, who afterwards went witli his state in the war and served in 
the Confederale navy. The "Wabash" was on the l^uropean station, 
most of the time in the .Mediterranean, and Dewey saw those southern 
whores to go(»d advantage. He made a visit to Jerusalem, cutting there 



GEORGE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 137 

an olivo-wood caue, which he sent to his j;i'aiidfather in A'ermont. It is 
rehited that the old gentleman died with that cane by his side, h,is last 
wui'ds being a message of affection to the grandson who had sent it to 
him. 

In ISGO Dewey returned to Annapidis for his final examination. 
The two years had been fruitful of valuable experience. This time he 
led his fellows, a standing which, combined with his former one, gave 
him a final rating of third in his class and .the rank of Passed Midship- 
man. He obtained a furlough and journeyed to his home in Vermont 
to visit his father before beginning another cruise. 

A Period of Rapid Promotion. 

In February, 1861, he received his first commission. Owing to the 
resignation of many Southern offlcers he was promoted to the grade of 
Master, a title no longer in use, corresponding to that of a lieutenant 
of the junior grade in the modern navy. Resting here in the old home- 
stead at Montpelier, the news came to him that civil war had begun. His 
furlough was at an end. 

Six days after Fort Sumter was fired on, April 18, 1801, Dewey 
received his commission as lieutenant and was assigned to duty aboard 
the "Mississippi," then lying in Boston harbor, a steamer of twelve guns, 
(oramanded by Captain Melancton Smith. In the organization of the 
Tuited States Navy for the Civil War she v.-as made a part of the 
West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under command of Captain David 
G. Farragut, and on January 20, 18G2, the fleet sailed for the Gulf of 
Mexico, for the purpose of capturing the Confederate stronghold, the 
City of New Orleans. 

The first act of Flag-officer Farragiit upon reaching the mouth of the 
Mississippi river was to dispatch his chief-of-staff. Captain Bell, up the 
river with two gunboats on a scouting expedition. After a careful study 
of the enemy's position, Captain Bell i-eported that the approach to the 
city was strongly fortified and that a dangerous and difficult undertak- 
ing was before them. 

The Defenses of New Orleans. 

The United States government had in former years erected two forts 
about thirty miles above the head of the passes — Jackson on the right 



138 (iK('i;t;K DKWKV IN TIIK ('I\ll. W A 1{. 

or sdtith bank, and St. I'liilip a little fiirtlicr up the stivaiii on the left. 
Kurt St. IMiilip was oii<iinall,v built bv the Si)auiar(ls, but was i-emmbMed 
and rei»aired by our ^uvernnieut in 1812-l.j, ami a^ain in 1811 and fol- 
lowiuj; years. Fort Jackson, the more formidable of the two, \\'as built 
in 1S24-32. The Confederate lioverninent took imssi'ssion of these forts 
immediately after the coniniencement of the war and put tlii'in in thor- 
ouf^h repair. WJu n the Federal fleet arrived they found tliat a Confed- 
erate s(puidr(Mi of lifteen ve.-is(ds. under Coninnidore -T. K. Mitchell, was 
•iaHiertvl just above the forts, and alonji,- the river banks were ranj>ed 
1*00 sharjishooters to <iive the forts warninj* of the I'^ederal's movements, 
and pick otf men whenever op])ortunity ottered. Larj^e hulks were 
moored in line across the river, with heavy chains extemlini; from one to 
the other. Uafts of lo<is were also \\:H'i]. and I he passajic between the 
forts was entirely closed. 

Facing a Difficult Task. 

The task that lay before Farraj^tit and his tiect was to break through 
these obstructions, jiass up the channel of the river between the forts, 
conquer the Confederate Heet, steam up to New Orlean.s, and demand 
the surrender of the city. (Jreat ditliculty Mas experienced in the very 
tirst stej) of the work in licttinu some of the boats throuj;h the i)asses. 
In fact, the "Colorado," which drew twenty-two feet nf water, could not 
be taken in at all, as there w as Iml lifteen feet on the bar, ami the "Mis- 
sisHippi," after beiiiji' lij^liK ind in every ])ossible manner, was draj;>j:ed 
over by tug-boats through a loot nt luuti. 

On the afternoon of Ajuil IT, llie mortar-boats were placetl in jiosi- 
tiou and opened flic on ihe loits. The bombardment continued with 
little interru])tion for six days, when Farragut decided that the con<li- 
tion of att'airs warranted an attemjjt to |»ass the forts, .\ccording to sig- 
nal, on the morning (d" Ai)ril 24, at 2 o'< lock, the Federal lleet got under 
way. The enemy ojm'IkmI lire as soon as the head of the column of ad- 
vancing vess(ds came williiu range, tml one by one they r.iu the gauntlet. 

Confederate Resistance to the Assault. 

Above I lie lulls Ihe Coiifedci ;i I c ^Mid)oats werf* mas.sed, and they 
hr<Mi;ilit a i.ipid ami heavy tire to bear upon tlu> attacking fleet, but they 



GEORGE DEWEY IN THE CIN'lL WAir 139 

being ovenuutihed were easily disposed of. One hour and ten minutes 
after weighing anchor the A'essels had passed the forts and Farragut 
was on his way to NeAV Orleans. As the fleet was nearing quarantine, 
some distance above the forts, the "Manassas," an iron-clad ram in the 
Confederate service was seen coming up the river in pursuit. Captain 
Smith was ordered to turn the ''Mississippi" and run her down. The 
order was instantly obeyed, and the "Mississippi" started at full si)eed. 
It seemed certain that the ram would be annihilated by the shock of the 
contact, but when the "Mississippi" was within fifty yards of her she 
suddenly shifted her helm and dodged the blow. However, the man- 
euver resulted in disaster in another form, for she ran ashore, where 
Captain Smith's gunners poured two broadsides into her and sent her 
drifting down the river, a total wreck. 

Thus was accomplished one of the greatest feats in the history of 
naval warfare. Farragut started with seventeen wooden vessels against 
the swift current of a stream but little more than half a mile wide, be- 
tween two powerful earthworks that had been prepared for his coming, 
his course impeded by burning rafts, and meeting the enemy's fleet of 
fifteen vessels, two of them iron-clad, he either captured or destroyed 
them all. And all this with the actual loss of but one of his own squad- 
ron. 

Preparing to Attack New Orleans. 

On the morning of April 25, the fleet arrived at a point less than 
three miles below the City of New Orleans. Here was Jackson's old bat- 
tle-ground of January 8, 1815, and here Farragut's right-of-way was dis- 
puted by the Chalmette batteries. These works — on both sides of the 
river — mounttKl twenty heavy guns, and were prepared to receive the 
approaching vessels. However, they were silenced in short order, and at 
last the City of the Ci'escent was fairly under Federal guns. The haven 
had been reached at a cost to the fleet of thirty-seven men killed and 147 
wounded. From this point resistance ceased, and about noon the fleet 
anchored off tlie city, which the retreat of the Confederate forces under 
General Lovell had left defenseless in the hands of the civil authorities. 

Meanwhile Lieutenant-Commander John Gurst had been sent to Fort 
Jackson under a flag of truce, to demand from its commander the im- 
mediate surrender of the forts and the remnants of the Confederate navv 



140 GEOKUE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAK. 

at that place. Geueral L)uiu-au, the commaniliiiii- olHrer, refused to com- 
ply with the demana, whereupon Coiumauder Porter opened a rapid 
mortar-fire upon Fort Jackson. This caused a nmtiuy among the 
garrison, who refused to be longer the targets of the conqueror's guns, 
and many deserted from the works and retreated up the river out of 
range. Finally, realizing that further resistance was worse than use- 
less, the Confederate geueral signified his willingness to surrender, and 
on the 29th the capitulation was signed. 

A Daring Visit to New Orleans. 

Immediately after reaching Xew Orleans Farragut sent Captain 
Bailey and Lieutenant Perkins on shore to demand from the mayor the 
surreiuder of the city. These two officers went on their perilous service 
without an escort, and passed through a crowd of vagabonds, thieves, 
ragpickers and all the inhabitants of the slums, paying no attention to 
the threats of the howling mob, but walking as steadily as if they had a 
regiment of soldiers at their backs. They reached the mayor's home, 
and were shown into his presence. "We have come," said Captain P.ailey, 
"to demand the surrender of Ney Orleans. The state flag must be 
hauled down from the public buildings, and the United States flag must 
be hoisted there." 

"You have llie ])nwer in your own hands," the mayor replied, ";uid 
can do as you please, but I doubt if there is a man in Xew Orleans 
who would haul down that flag without being assa.<;sinated on the spot." 
The officers returned to the flagship and reported the result of their 
mission. 

Soon after their return, Captain Charles II. 15ell, with a guard of 
marines and two boat howitzers loaded with grape and canuister, were 
landed, wilh instructions to pull down the Confederate flags and restore 
the Stars and Stripes to their accustomed i)laces. The same mob met the 
marines at the levee, but gave way before them, and they marched to the 
state-house and to the custom-house, where Old Glory was flung to the 
breeze, amid the cheers of the boys in blue who were watching from the 
ships. 

Dewey's Service on the Mississippi. 

A few days afterward the steamers of tiie mortar flotilla towed the 
fraiisiMirts willi .Miijnr-( icuiTal lliillcr's aniiy nii huard to New Orleans, 




DEWEY'S FIRST CRUISE 

When his father began to chide him for his rashness he replied, "You ought to be 
thankful that my life was spared." 




DEWEY SAVING THE LIFE OF A SAILOR 

AND 

THE EXPLOSION ON THE MISSISSIPPI 



aEORGE DEWEY IX THE CIVIL WAR. 143 

and under the guns of Farragut's squadron the troops landed, and order 
was re-established in the city. 

For several months the "Mississippi," in conjunction with other ves- 
sels of the fleet, patroled the river between New Orleans and Vicks- 
burg, frequently ascending the bayous, and doing good work for the 
Federal cause. Lieutenant Dewey was still second in rank aboard the 
"Mississippi," a favorite of the admiral, even then showing himself to 
be a man, not only of great personal bravery but of remarkable executive 
ability as well. 

From January, 1SG3, the "Mississippi" Avas employed in assisting 
General Banks to force his way into the interior of Louisiana, and bring- 
ing all of the country that could be secured under subjection. This was 
a difficult task, for the enemy opposed the Federal forces at every step 
with a courage and determination very difficult to overcome. 

In March it was decided by Rear-Admiral Farragut and General 
Banks that the former should move with his fleet past Port Hudson, 
which was at that time well fortified with nineteen heavy guns bearing 
on the water approaches. General Banks was to make a diversion with 
his army against the forts, and the mortar flotilla was to open on the bat- 
teries prior to and during the passage of the fleet. 

Movement Against Port Hudson. 

Farragut brought with him from New Orleans for the purpose of 
passing Port Hudson the following vessels: 

Hartford, Captain J. S. Palmer 28 guns 

Richmond, Commander James Alden 25 " 

Monongahela, Captain J. P. McKinstry 11 " 

Mississippi, Captain Melanctou Smith 19 " 

Essex, Commander C. H. B. Caldwell 7 " 

Albatross, Lieutenant-Commander J. E. Hart 7 " 

Genesee, Commander W. H. Macomb 8 " 

Kineo, Lieutenant-Commander John Waters 6 " 

Sachem, Lieutenant Amos Johnston 5 " 

Five mortar schooners 5 " 

Total 121 guns 

The first four were sloops-of-war, the "Essex" a river iron-clad, the 
other four were gunboats. The order of battle prescribed that each of 



144 GEOKCK HKWKV IX TIIK (IN II. WAU. 

the larger vessels — except the "Mississipiii," wliiili \\;is;i sidt'-wln't'lcr — 
should take a gunboat firmly lasiied on the port side, away from the 
batteries, and that they should jjroceed u}) the river in the order named 
al)iiv(', the Hartford in the lead. The mortar-boats wi'Vc anchored near 
the east bank, about a mile below the batteries. The captains were 
reminded that the object of the movement was to pass the battt'ries 
with the least possible damage to their vessels, so as to secure as cftlciciit 
a force as possible for patroling the river above. 

Desperate Night Engagement. 

At 9 o'clock, on the night of March 14, tUe signal was made for the 
ships to get into line, and as soon as this was accomplished the Hartford 
slowly steamed ahead. At 11 :20 p. m. two rockets were fired on the east 
bank, and almost immediately the batteries opened tire. The fleet and 
the mortar-boats (juickly answered and for more than an hour the noise 
of ir)0 guns firing as i'ai)idly as possible was incessant. The enemy built 
bonliri'S at different i)oiut.s, to ])erfect their aim, and tliese ndch'd to the 
illuminati(»n and enhanced the grandeur of the scene. 

The "Hartford" passed within one hundred yards nf I lie muzzles of 
the enemy's guns, delivering an effective lire as she steamed n\) the river. 
The "Richmond," with the "Genesee" as her oousort, reached the last 
battery in safety, and was about to jiass when a shot carried away the 
safety valves of her boilers and allowed so murh steam to es(a]ie into 
lier fire-room that she was entirely di'i)rived of her nu)f ive i»ower. Her 
con.sort was not able to drag both vessels against the <-urrent of the 
stream, and they w<'re allowed to float down again below the forts, 
where they were anchored. 

The "Monongaluda" and "Kineo," the next in line, also mei with dis- 
aster. The firing from tlie "Hartford" and "iiichmond" had by this 
time so filled the air with siimke lliat it w.is imiiossiblc to distinguish 
objects near by, and the pilots wci-e (diuiilctcly at sea. At 11:;}0 the 
"Monongahela" grounded mi the west shore of the river and was ex- 
posed to .severe fire for nearly a lialf an hoiii-. llei- consort finally suc- 
ceeded in i)ulling her off, and she in liiin diified down the stream and 
anchoi'eil beside the "Kichiuond." 



GEOliGE UEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR 145 

Loss of the " Mississippi." 

The "Mississippi" followed in the wake of the "Monongahela," firing 
wherever her guns could be brought to bear. At 12:30 a. m. she 
grounded hard and fast, and it was found necessary to abandon her. Her 
engines were destroyed, small arms thrown overboard, the sick and 
wounded landed on the shore, and fires kindled in several parts of the 
ship. When these were Avell under way the captain left the ship, and 
with his crew in open boats went past the batteries to the fleet below. 

The task of getting the men to safety devolved on Lieutenant Dewey. 
Twice he went to the "Richmond" and twice came back, until at last he 
and Captain Smith stoixl alone on the deck. 

"Are you sure she will burn, Dewey?" the captain asked as he paused 
at the gangway. 

Dewey risked his life to go to the ward-room for a last look, and to- 
gether they left the ship, sorrowfully, with the shot splashing all around 
them. 

Captain Smith's report of the catastrophe was in part as follows: 
"Our approach was signalled by the rebels on the west bank of the river, 
and at 11 o'clock p. m. the batteries opened fire upon the flagship. At 
this time the 'Essex' engaged the lower batteries, the bomb-vessels com- 
menced shelling, the flagship opened fire, and the engagement became 
general as the vessels came in range. At 11:30 p. m. the 'Richmond' 
passed down the river and owing to the darkness and smoke was for 
some time taken for an enemy by the crew of the 'Mississippi,' who were 
with difficulty kept from firing into her. 

When the "Mississippi" Grounded. 

"The 'Monongahela,' which was the one next ahead, could not at this 
time be seen. Supposing that she had increased her speed, the order 
was given to 'go ahead fast,' that we might close up. We had now 
reached the last and most formidable batteries, and were congratulatin"- 
ourselves upon having gained the turn, when the 'Mississippi grounded 
and heeled over three streaks to port. The engine was immediately 
reversed and the port guns (which had not been fired) were run in, to 
bring her on an even keel; after which her own fire from the starboard 



14(5 GEORGE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

batteiy was lecomineucod. The engine was backed for tbirtj--five min- 
utes, and the steam was increased from 13 to 25 pounds, which was con- 
sidered by the chief engineer the greatest pressure the boilers would 
bear, when the pilot stated that it would be impossible to get the vessel 
ott". I then ordered the port battery to be spiked, and the pivot-gun 
to be thrown overboard; but the latter was not accomplished before I 
deemed it most judicious and humane to abandon the vessel, as the 
enemy had obtained our range and Ave were exposed to the galling and 
cross-fire of three batteries, tlieir shot hulling us fref|uently. 

Abandoning the Wrecked Vessel. 

"The sick and wounded were now ordered up, at which time we 
ceased firing, and three small boats (all we had) were immediately em- 
ployed in landing the crew, while preparations were being made to 
destroy the vessel. Up to this time the men had been working the guns 
in the most splendid style, and aiming at every flash, which was the only 
guide to the location of the rebel works. It was by no means certain 
that the officers and crew would not, even after landing, fall into the 
hands of the enemj-, as musketry had been fired from the west shore 
on our passage up; but, as this was of less consequence than the capture 
of the ship, the crew were directed to throw overboard all the small 
arms, the engineers ordered to destroy the engine, and the ship set on 
fire in the forward store-room. To be positive that this was effectually 
done, the yeoman was sent below to make an examination, Miien threi^ 
shots entered the store-room, letting in the water and extinguisliing 
the flames. She was then fired in four different places aft between the 
decks; and, when the combustion had made sullicient progress to ren- 
der her destruction certain, I left the ship, accompanied by the first lieu- 
tenant, all having now been landed, and passed down to the 'Richmond' 
under the tire of the rebel batteries. 

High Praise for Lieutenant Dewey. 

"At 3 o'clock a. in. llic '.Mississippi' was observed to be afloat and 
drifting slowly down ilic liver, and at half past five she blew up, pro- 
ducing an awful concussion, which was felt for miles around. 

"I consider that I sliould be neglecting a most important duty should 
I omit to mention the coolness of my executive officer, Mr. Dewey, and 



&EORGE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 147 

the steady, fearless and gallant manner in which the officers and men 
of the 'Mississippi' defended her, and the orderly and quiet manner in 
which she was abandoned after being thirty-five minutes aground under 
the fire of the enemy's batteries." 

Dewey is next found in the capacity of first lieutenant of a gunboat 
used by the admiral as a dispatch boat. This established closer relations 
between the two men, and Farragut formed a sincere regard for the 
young lieutenant. The Confederates had a trick of suddenly appearing 
on the high banks of the river with a field piece, firing point blank at 
any boat that might be within range, and disappearing as quickly as 
they came. Upon one of these occasions a shot came within a hair's- 
breadth of Dewey, and involuntarily he jiimped aside trying to escape it. 
The admiral happened to be near at the time, and said: "^^'hy don't you 
stand firm, lieutenant? Don't 30U know you can't jump quick enough?" 

"When Admiral Farragut Dodged a Shot. 

Soon afterward Farragut dodged a shot under similar circum- 
stances. The lieutenant smiled but held his tongue. But the admiral 
had a guilty conscience. He cleared his throat, shifted his position and 
finally said: "Why, sir, you can't help it, sir. It's human nature, and 
there's an end to it!" 

Dewey was afterwards given the command of the "Monongahela," a 
post made vacant by the death of her commander, Abuer Reed, who was 
killed by a rifle-shell fired from the batteries a few miles below Donald- 
sonville, La. This appointment was only temporary, however, as the 
lieutenant was shortly- afterwards transferred to the steam gunboat 
"Agawam," which was attached to the North Atlantic Blockading 
Squadron. 

At the time of the two attacks on Fort Fisher he was first lieutenant 
of the "Colorado," Commodore Henry Knox Thatcher commanding. 

Operations Against Fort Fisher. 

At the entrance of Cape Fear River, North Carolina, the Confederates 
had erected a huge fortification, which was called Fort Fisher, and here 
the principal operations of the blockade runners were carried on, supply- 
ing the Southern armies with clothing, food, arms and munitions of war. 



148 GEORGE DEWEY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

It finally became evident to the Tainted States Navy Department that 
nnless these su})i)lies were cut off the war would necessarily l)e i^roatly 
jirolonped. The Secretary of the Navy made an aiijilication to the War 
Department, in September, 1804, for troops to co-operate with the navy 
in an attack on the Cape Fear River defenses, and being encouraged to 
expect assistance, began to assemble a proper force of vessels for the 
occasion. The command of the squadron was tendered to Rear-A<liiiiriil 
Farragut, but on account of failing health the offer was declined, and 
Kear-Adniiral Porter was detached from the Mississippi stpiadron and 
assigned to the enviable position. 

By the ir)(h of October about one liMUilrcd sliips of war were assem- 
bled at Hampton Roads. Many of them were from other squadrons, 
which had been depleted for the occasion. There was a great variety of 
vessels, as every class in the navy was represented, from the lofty frigate 
down to the fragile steamer taken from the merchant service; but all 
mounted good guns. 

Then came a delay in the attack, caused by the fact that the army 
co-operation which was so necessary to the .success of the plan was not 
forthcoming at the time it had been promised. 

First Naval Attack on the Fortress. 

After a tedious delay of over two months the forts were finally en- 
gaged by the fleet on December 24. During the heavy fire from the fleet 
an explosion took place within the main fort, and immediately flames 
were observed streaming high above the walls. The Federals were cer- 
tain that they had fired the barrac Ics and olhcr tenements connected 
with the forts. During the continuance of this blaze, which lasted for 
iiours, not a gun was fired by the enemy, except from an isolated .section 
of the fort called the "Mound Rattery." 

The attack was resumed on the following day. and as ilic i;ing<' was 
shorter the tiring of the fleet was much more accurate. Commodore 
Thatcher in his oflicial report of the siege says: "It is my belief that not 
a shot or shell was fired by the advanced line ttf shijjs that did not either 
penetrate the earthworks of the enemy or explode within them. On the 
first day, 1,5G0 projectiles were fired from the 'Colorado' into the fort. 
This ship ('Colorado') planted 230 shots into the enemy's works on the 
*25th, and exploded 990 shells." 



GEORGE DEWEY IN TEE CIVIL WAR. 149 

Admiral Porter was greatly disappointed in the support given him 
bj the army in this affair, and claimed that had it been properly man- 
aged by General Butler, who was in command of the laud forces. Fort 
Fisher could have been taken easily. Be that as it may, there can be no 
question regarding the good work done by the navy. 

Second Assault on Fort Fisher. 

About two weeks later a force of 8,000 men, under General Terry, 
was sent to assist the fleet in taking the fort. They were landed, on 
January 13, as fast as 120 boats could put them on shore. It was deter- 
mined before the army made its assault on the fort that there should be 
no guns within reach to impede its progress. At 9 a. m., on the loth, the 
fleet was directed by signal to attack in three lines. The vessels all 
reached their stations about 11 a. m., and each opened fire when 
anchored. The fire was kept up furiou.sly all day, and in the meantime 
the land forces were making a gallant struggle to carry the fort by 
storm. They chased the enemy from traverse to traverse until the Con- 
federates broke and fled in panic before them. 

Thus ended a battle in which the Confederates lost one of their safest 
strongholds, besides 1,800 men taken prisoners and 700 killed and 
wounded. 

Dewey Scores Another Triumph. 

Towards the end of this fight Admiral Porter signaled to Commo- 
dore Thatcher, of the "Colorado," to close in and silence a certain part 
of the works. The ship had already been struck several times by the 
shells of the enemy, and Dewey saw instantly the advantage to be 
gained by the move. "We shall be safer in there," he remarked, "and 
the works can be taken in fifteen minutes." The signal was obeyed and 
Dewey's prediction proved a correct one. 

When Admiral Porter came to congratulate Commodore Thatcher, 
Ihe latter disclaimed any credit for the success of the maneuver, but gen- 
erously said: "You must thank Lieutenant Dewey, sir." 

Immediately after the Fort Fisher engagement Commodore Thatcher 
was named as acting rear-admiral, and a few weeks later was ordered to 
Mobile bay, where he relieved Farragut. lie recommended Dewev for 



150 C.EORr.E DEWKV l.\ Till; »"1\IL WAR. 

bis fleet captaincy, but the (lepartnu-nl did not sec lit to follow the suj;^- 
yestion. 

At the End of the War. 

However, March 3, ISC!."), his ability was rccojiiiizod and his bravery 
rewarded by a conunission as licutcuaut-comniaudcr. Dewey thus 
reached in eleven years from tiic time he entered the academy a rank 
to attain which in time of peace freciueutly requires a service of thirty 
jears. Ilis association with Farragut, Porter, Thatcher, Smith and 
many other naval heroes of the times did much to <;ivo him a inac- 
tical knowledge of warfare on river and sea; and his natural ability, 
his fertility of resource, and his quickness of comiirehension under try- 
ing circumstances, were qualities which he was then developing, and 
which brought him the praise of a world in after years. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 

When the Civil War Euded— On the European Station— Incidents of the 
Cruise — Marriage and Bereiivenient of Dewey — Service in Asiatic 
Waters — Successive I'romotions — Shore Duty in Wasliington — Ordered 
to Comiraand the Asiatic Squadron — Tlie Thaul^s of the Nation — 
Presents and Honors — Dewey an Admiral. 

The qualities which Dewey demonstrated iu the Civil ^V'ar, and the 
reputation which he brought out of that conflict, gave him high standing 
in the estimation of his superior officers, and many creditable assign- 
ments fell to him in the years intervening before the next conflict in 
which he was to be engaged. 

Immediately following the war Lieutenant-Commander Dewey sen-ed 
for two years on the European station, first in the "Keal'sarge," which 
had gained fame by sinking the Confederate cruiser "Alabama," and 
which was lost, thirty years later, on Roncador reef in the Caribbean 
sea. Next he was assigned to the frigate "Colorado," the flagship of the 
squadron, under command of Rear-Admiral Goldsborough. J. C. W'at- 
son, who was then a lieutenant-commander like Dewey, and who is now 
a rear-admiral, was one of Dewey's messmates in the same vessel. W. 
W. Stone, who was ship's writer on board the flagship, relates an inci- 
dent which involves not only the two lieutenant-commanders, but the 
admiral as well. 

An Irishman in this Story. 

Admiral Goldsborough's valet, John, who at one time had been a ser- 
vant of President Lincoln in the W^hite Ilouse, was a witty but bungling 
Irishman. One morning the admiral sent word down to John that he 
wanted his glass, meaning, of course, his spyglass. John, as usual, how- 
ever, misunderstood, and came tramping up to the bridge with a goblet 
in his hand. 

"John, you're the devil's own valet," growled the admiral when he 
saw him coming. 

151 



lo2 DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 

"Faith, S01-, I didu't think I'd coine to that same when I took service 
wid ve, sor." 

"Throw that bhimed goblet overboard aud go and get me my spy- 
glass as I told you, you infernal idiot." 

"Ye.s, sor," said John, calmly tossing the glass over the side. In 
doing so he narrowly escaped dashing it upon the upturned face of the 
executive officer, Lieutenant-Commander George Dewey. Mr. Dewey 
was on a tour of ins])ection, circling the frigate in one of the cutters. 
The "Colorado" had just arrived from Trieste. The passage down the 
Adriatic sea had been a stormy one, aud the painstaking executive offi- 
cer of the vessel wanted to see for himself how the old ship looked after 
her battle with the waves. 

Dewey Wants to Know About It. 

"It was a lovely spring Sunday morning," says the uanator. "We 
had dropped anchor in the beautiful bay of Naples, aud I had crept up 
into the mizzentop to drink in with boyish zest the delights of our glor- 
ious surroundings. Off our beam lay Ischia and Capri, standing like 
stern Konuiu .sentinels on guard, at the horns of tlie bay. Ahead lay 
old Vesuvius, from whose grim apex I could see tloatiug upward a hazy 
wreath, significant of the unrest beneath. I watdied tlie old admiral 
with a great deal of interest. Had I been a kodak fiend I should then 
and there have forfeited my appointment by taking a snap shot at the 
irate officer as hej?lared at the sleek, unconcerned menial. 

" 'Go below, 3'ou blunderii^ Irishman, before I have you tossed over 
after the glass.' The man disJ^peared with just the suspicion of a smirk 
on his innocent looking face. 

"'Mr. Dewey would like to have you liiid out, sir, wlio is licaving 
crockery over the side of tlie ship, sir,' one of the crew of tlie cutter 
said to Lieutenant-Commander Jolin (Yittenden Watson, at the time 
officer of the deck. The admiral overlicard the iiicssagi' of tlie angry 
executive and laughed quietly. 

" 'Tell Mr. Dewey that it was the adnural, my man,' said he soberly; 
I lien, turning to Mr. Watson he remarked, 'He can't very well jmt the 
admiral in the brig, ilmiigli 1 may deserve it.' 

"'He may look around for a substitute, admiral,' answered Mr. 
Watson, smiling. 



DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 153 

" 'Oh, no, Dewey has too keen a sense of justice for that. Besides, I 
remember him saying once that he had no use for substitutes.' 

Dewey's Dignity Involved. 

"A few moments after this Mr. Dewey himself came over the star- 
board gangwaj', saluting the admiral with rather a haughty air. You 
see, a 32-pounder may spin merrily past a fellow's head aboard a man- 
o'-war and serve merely as a hook on which to hang the old time jest 
about a 'miss being as good as a mile,' but when a plain matter of fact, 
plebeian tumbler shoots past you, contrary to the articles of war and 
in direct violation of established naval etiquette, the circumstance that 
you have escaped mutilation is only an excrescence alongside of the glar- 
ing fact that your dignity has been very violently assaulted. 

"The admiral looked doAvn and took in the situation. Descending 
to the quarter deck, he approached Dewey and said with a friendly 
air, 'I say, Dewey, did you ever read Handy Andy?' 

" 'Yes, sir,' rather shortly. 

" 'W^ll, now, I must have his cousin aboard.' And the admiral re- 
lated the glass incident. The two laughed over the blunder, Mr. Dewey 
having recovered his usual good nature by this time. 

When John Served President Lincoln. 

" 'You see, Dewey, I have a sort of interest in the fellow. The secre- 
tary recommended him to me as a good, faithful serving man. He had 
been attached to Mr. Lincoln as his personal attendant, and I took the 
scamp partly on that account. Ah, here he comes at last with my glass! 
John, did Mr. Lincoln ever score you for your awkwardness?' 

" 'No, sor, he never did. Many the time he tould me that it wor 
a mercy that we were tegither, because, said he, his mind wor taken 
off affairs of state by thinkin' did he wurruk harder tellin' me how to 
do things than if he wint and did them himself.' 

" 'Doubtless, doubtless,' said the admiral, laughing. 

" 'I want you to remember, John,' said Mr. Dewey severely, 'that it 
is strictly against the rules of this ship to throw anything over'the sides. 
You came very near striking me in the head with your glass tossing.' 

" 'That wor a pity, sor.' 



154 dp:wfa' fro.m war to war. 

"•A [lity!' I'xclaiiiunl Dowey savagely. 'By Jim, I'd have come up 
and had you put in double irons.' 

" 'No, sor, axiu' ycr pardon, I liope not.' 

"'What's tliat?' roared the future admiral anjirily. 

" 'Troth, sor, d'ye mind the nioruin' tellin' me that ye wor to do the 
thinkin' an' I wor to obey orders, even if I bruk ownci's?' 

"The two laughed licartily at this hit, and John went below with 
colors tlying." 

George Dewey Meets His Present Wife. 

Heturning to the Thiited States, Dewey was sent to duly al the 
Kittery Navy Yard, just across the river from I'ortsmouth, New llani])- 
shire, lie was a handsome and popular fellow, and a welcome visitor 
in the homes of the citizens of Portsmouth. Ilei-e it was that he met 
the young woman who became his wife, whose death a few years later 
was the greatest grief that has come into his life. Ichabod Goodwin 
of Portsmouth was the war governor of the state and to this day is 
spoken of as "Fighting Governor Goodwin." It was (he daughter of the 
governor who became Mrs. Dewey. Governor Goodwin was himself a 
popular hero of the times. He had been one of the most loyal and ener- 
getic of the supporters of the Union during the days of strife and his 
favor was ready for any worthy man who had served his country. 

Dewey Has a Rival. 

Town gossip named two gallant naval oflicers as rivals for the hand 
of pretty Miss Susie Goodwin. One was young Dewey and the other 
Commander S. C\ Rhind. The latter was nearly twenty years the older of 
the two and of equally worthy service. Tie it was who took the powder- 
boat "Louisiana" almost to the walls of Fort Fisher, a deed of daring 
equal to that of Cushing with the "Albemarle." He had commanded 
the "Agawam," on which Dewey himself served for a short time during 
the war. But the young woman chose the young man, and Rhind sailed 
away, to become a rear-admiral in 1883, fifteen years before Dewey's 
great victory. 

Nowadays the people of Portsmouth recall that the odds were 
against the older and more dignified officer because, in addition to 
the great favor which the youug lieutenant had wctn in the eyes of the 



DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 155 

young woman, there was tLe aid which was thrown into the balance 
by her father, the ''Fighting Governor." 

"George is sort of reckles.s sometimes," the old gentleman once re- 
marked, "but hang me if I can help liking him. He's honest and full of 
grit, and he'll be heard from one of these days." 

Domestic Affairs and Promotion. 

Lieutenant-Commander Dewey and Miss Susie Goodwin were mar- 
ried October 24th, 1SG7, and following the wedding a reception was held 
in the tine old Goodwin homestead, which is still standing on one of the 
quiet, elm-shaded streets of Portsmouth, occupied by members of the 
Goodwin family. 

In ISGS and 1869 Dewey was detailed for service at the Annapolis 
Naval Academy as an instructor, and at the end of that duty he obtained 
command of the "Narragansett," which was nearly all the time on 
special service of various sorts for five years. His commission as "com- 
mander" came on April 13, 1872. It seemed a promising, happy year of 
his life. A son was born on December 23, but the young mother lived but 
one week after that date. The child was christened George Goodwin 
Dewey. The father was never re-married. 

George Goodwin Dewey was graduated from Princeton College in 
June, 1898, and since that time he has been in the office of Joy, Langdon 
& Co., commission merchants, of New York City. 

Commander Dewey's service in the "Narragansett" included an in- 
spection of torpedo stations and then some years in making surveys of 
the Pacific coast. In 187G he was made a lighthouse inspector, perform- 
ing the duties attached to such a post for two years, after which he be- 
came secretary of the lighthouse board, a position which he filled for 
more than four years. 

First Service in Asiatic Waters. 

Dewey's first seiwice in Asiatic waters was in 1882, when he was 
assigned to the command of the ".Juniata," on the Asiatic station. The 
events of 1898 proved that he used the two years allotted to him in the 
Orient at that time to good advantage by learning all that he could of 
the people and the ports of the West Pacific. 



156 DEWEV FROM WAR T( » WAR. 

When the four ^■ei^seIs which fdi'ineil the original "White Squadron" 
were completed, the smallest of them, the "Dolphin," was placed under 
the command of Dewey and he was given his commission as captain 
September 27, 18S4. A writer in a recent magazine relates an incident 
as having hapi)eued while Dewey commanded the "Dolphin," which cer- 
tainly never occurred, but which nevertheless reads well. 

"It was in New York harbor," he says, "while in the 'Dolphin,' that 
Captain Dewey showed how thoroughly he knew the vagaries of human 
nature as w^ell as the principles of good discipline. Perhaps he bore in 
mind some lesson inculcated in early youth by a wise father. At any 
rate, the admiral has always been noted for his ability to deal with 
'Jack.' The 'Jack' in question was a paymaster's yeoman, or something 
of the kind, and he refused to obey an order of the first lieutenant, be- 
cause, he said, it was outside the line of his duty. The lieutenant, after 
vainly remonstrating Avith him, reported the matter to Captain Dewey, 
who sauntered out on deck and looked his man through and through, 
which made the yeoman exceedingly uucomforlable. Nevertheless, he 
remained stubborn. 

" '^Yhat,' said the captain, 'you refuse! Do you know that that is 
mutiny? When you entered the service you swore to obey your superior 
officers.' 

"The man was silent and made no move, whereupon the captain very 
quietly told the coqioral to call the guard, stood the obdurate yeoman 
on the far side of the deck, and bade the marines load. Then he took 
out his watch. 

" 'Now, my man,' said he, 'you have just five minutes in which to obey 
that order,' and began to call the minutes. At the fourth count the 
yeoman moved off with considerable alacrity, and has since been one 
(!f the strongest opponents of the policy of tampering with 'the old man,' 
as the admiral has been for some time affectionately called in the fore- 
castle." 

Commanding the Flagship in Europe. 

In 1885, Captain Dewey Avas placed in command of the "Pensacola," 
the flagship of the European squadron, remaining on that station for 
tfiree years. In this time he visited all the principal Eurojiean ports, 
ami gained familiarity with many of the European naval conditions, 
officers and fleets. 



DEWEY PROM WAR TO WAR. 157 

A blue-jacket who made a cruise with him tells this charaoteristir 
story in tlie Xew York Sun: 

"W'e hadn't been to sea with him long before we got next to hoAV he 
despised a liar. One of the petty officers went ashore at Gibraltar, got 
mixed up with the soldiers in the canteens on the hill, and came off to the 
sliii> paralyzed. lie went before the captain at the mast the next morn- 
ing. He gave Dewey the 'two-beers and sun-struck' yarn. 

Dewey Has No Patience With Lying. 

" 'Y^ou're lying, my man,' said Dewey. 'You were very drunk. I my- 
self heard you aft in my cabin. I will not have my men lie to me. I 
don't expect to find total abstinence in a man-o'-war crew. But I do 
expect them to tell me the truth and I am going to have them tell me 
the truth. Had you told me candidly that you took a drop too much on 
your liberty, you'd have been forward by this time, for you, at least, re- 
turned to the ship. For lying you get ten days in irons. Let me have the 
truth hereafter. I am told yon are a good seaman. A good seaman has 
no business lying.' 

"After that there were few men aboard who didn't throw themselves 
on the mercy of the court when they waltzed up to the stick before 
Dewey, and none of us ever lost anything by it. He had to punish 
us in accordance with the i-egulations, but he had a great way of order- 
ing the release of men he had to sentence to the brig before their time 
was half worked out." 

In ISSO, Captain Dewey was made chief of the Bureau of Equip- 
ment and Recruiting, with rank of commodore. Four years later he 
was made a member of the Lighthouse Board, of which he had been 
secretary in 1877. In 1890 he got his commission as commodore and was 
made president of the Board of Inspection and Survey. This is the place 
that he held when ordered to sea duty in the late fall of 1897, with in- 
structions to assume command of the Asiatic station, where he hoisted 
his flag on the Olympia on January 3, 1898. 

Sent to Command the Asiatic Squadron. 

It is said that Admiral Dewey was reluctant to go to the station 
chosen for him. If it was to be peace, shore duty in Washington was 



158 DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 

quite as tempting as chill service in the Orient. If it was to be war 
witii Spain, he regretted being sent so far from the probable field of 
action in the Atlantic. However, he made no protest. His friends felt, 
as he did, that his health would be improved by a return to sea duty. 
He noted the fact in conversation with friends when leaving New York 
that he was to be the first commodore in Asiatic waters since Perry, who 
opened Japan to the world. The remark was significant. He proved to 
be the right man for the place. 

Farewell Banquet to the Commoaore. 

Commodore Dewey's long residence in Washington made him a 
prominent figure in ollicial and social circles there, and no officer in the 
navy is perhaps more widely or agreeably known than he. On his de- 
parture for Yokohama last November, a dinner was given for him at 
the Metropolitan club, at which the following verses — then scarcely ap- 
preciated at, perhaps, their true prophetic worth — were read by Colonel 
Archibald IIo])kins: 

Fill all your glasses full to-night; 

The wind is off the shore, 
And, be it feast or be it fight. 

We pledge the commodore. 

Through days of storm, through daj's of calm, 

On board Pacific seas, 
At anchor off the Isles of Palm, 

Or with the Japanese, 

Ashore, afloat, on deck, below, 

Or Avhere our bulldogs roar. 
To back a friend or beat a foe, 

W^e pledge the commodore. 

We know our lujnor'll be unstained, 

Where'er his pennant flies; 
Our right respected and maintained. 

Whatever power defies. 




"GEORGE DEWEY WAS THE LAST MAN TO LEAVE THE 
BURNING MISSISSIPPI" 



CORNET 
THOMAS DEN 
E)^DyED APRIL 
2 y. AM0.l6pa*iM 
THE 5 Z Vf ARE OF 
HIS AGE: 




AN INTERESTING MONUMENT 

This monument is standing in the old cemetery at Westfield, Mass., and 
was erected in 1690 to the memory of the first Dewey born on American soil. 



DEWEY FROM WAU To WAR. IGl 

And wbeu lie takes the homeward tack 

Beneath an admiral's Hag, 
We'll hail the day and bring him back, 

And have another jag. 

Colonel Hopkins afterwards added this postscript to his toast: 

Along the far Philippine coast, 

Where flew the flag of t^pain, 
Onr commodore to-day can boast 

'Twill never fly again. 

And up fi'om all our hills and vales, 

From cit}', town and shore, 
A might}^ shout the welkin hails: 

"Well done, brave commodore! 

"Now, let your admiral's pennant fly; 

You've won it like a man 
Where heroes love to fight and die — ■ 

Bight in the battle's van." 

What McKinley Said About Dewey. 

When the victory of Manila bay fully dawned upon the minds of 
the American people, there was a unanimous call from press and pulpit 
for some prompt and official recognition for George Dewey and his gal- 
lant associates. President McKinley responded to this popular feeling 
with the following message to Congress: 

To the Congress of the United States: 

On the 24:th of Api"il I directed the Secretary of the Navy to tele- 
graph orders to Commodore George Dewey, of the United States Navy, 
commanding- the Asiatic squadron, then lying in the port of Hong Kong, 
to proceed forthwith to the Philippine Islands, there to begin operations 
and engage the assembled Spanish fleet. ' — 

Promptly obeying that order, the United States squadron, consist- 
ing of the flagship Olympia. the Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Boston, 



\^ 



162 DKWRV FHO.M W'AK To WAR. 

the Concord ami the Petrol, with tlie reveinie lutter McCullocli as an 
auxiliary dispatch boat, entered the harbor of Manila at daybreak on 
the 1st of May and iumiediately engaged the entire Spanisli fleet of 
eleven ships, which were under the protection of the lire of the land 
forts. After a stubborn fijiht, in wiiich the enemy suffered great loss, 
these vessels were destroyed or completely disabled, and the water bat- 
tery of Cavite silenced. Of our brave officers and men not one was lost, 
and only eight injured, and those slightly. All of our shijts escaped any 
serious damage. 

By the 4th of May ('onimodore Dewey had taken jiossessiou of the 
naval station at Cavite, destroying the fort iticat ions there and at the 
entrance of tlie bay and partdling their garrisons. The waters of the 
baj" are under his complete control. Fie has established hospitals within 
the American lines, where 250 of the Spanisli sick and woundi'<l are 
assisted and protected. 

The magnitude nf this victory can hardly be nieasurei! by tiie or- 
dinary standards of naval warfare. Outweighing any nuiterial advan- 
tage is the moral effect of this initial success. At this unsurpassed 
acliiovpinent tlie great heart of our Nation throbs, not with boasting 
iinr wiili giicd (if conquest, but with deep gratitude that tliis triumph 
has come in a just cause, and that by the grace of dod an effective step 
has thus been taken toward the attainment of the wished-for peace. To 
those wiiose skill, courage and devotion have won the light, to the gal- 
lant commandei- and the brave oflicers and men who aided him, our 
country owes an incalculable debt. 

Feeling as our people feel and sjicakiiig in tlieir name, I at once 
seiil a message to ('(immnilni-e Dewey, thanking him and his oflicers and 
men fill- tlieir splendid achievement and overwhelming victory, and 
iiifcpiiiiiiig liim liiat 1 had aiijiointed him an acting rear-admiral. 

I now i-ecommeml tiiat, fidlowing our Xational ])recedenfs and ex- 
pressing the fervent gratitude of every jiairiniic liearl, the tlianks of 
Congress be given Acting Kear-Admiral <ieorge Dewey, of the United 
States Navy, for highly distinguished <()ndiict in conflict with the enemy, 
and to the officers and men under his command for their gallantry in the 
•lestriiction of the enemy's fleet and the capture of the enemy's fortitica- 
tiiiis in tlir hay <if Manila. 

WILLIAM M'KINLEY. 

Executive .Maiisinii, May 0, 1898. 



DEWEY PROM WAR TO WAR. 163 



Congress Thanks Dewey. 

The message was received by both Heuate aud ITDUse with marked 
enthusiasm, and, acting on tlie suggestion of the President, the folhiw- 
ing joint resolution was introduced and unanimously passed by a rising 
vote, every member standing: 

"Joint resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to Commodore 
George Dewey, U. S. N., and to the officers aud men of the squadron 
under his command. 

"Resolved, by the Senate and Ilouse of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, that in pursuance of the 
recommendation of the President, made in aecordance with the provis- 
ions of section 110 of the Revised Statutes, the thanks of Congress aud of 
the American people are hereby tendered to Commodore George Dewey, 
U. S. X., commander-in-chief of the Asiatic station, for highly distin- 
guished conduct in conflict with the enemy as displayed by him in the 
destruction of the Spanish fleet and batteries in the harbor of Manila, 
Philippine Islands, May 1, 1898. 

"Section 2. That the thanks of Congress and the American people 
are hereby extended through Commodore Dewey to the officers and 
men under his command for the gallantry and skill exhibited by them 
on that occasion. 

"Section 3. Be it further resolved that the President of the United 
States be requested to cause this resolution to be communicated to 
Commodore Dewey and through him to the officers and men under his 
command." 

Dewey's Honors Multiply. 

But the official recognition of George Dewey did not stop with the 
adoption of these resolutions. Senator Hale of Maine at once intro- 
duced, and the Senate unanimously passed, a bill increasing the number 
of rear-admirals in the navy from six to seven, and the President im- 
mediately promoted Acting Rear-Adniiral Dewey to the rank of rear- 
admiral. 

Senator Quay of Pennsylvania proposed that a jeweled sword be pre- 
sented by the government to Commodore Dewey, and Senator Lodge of 
Massachusetts responded by offering for adoption the following reso- 
lution: 



164 DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 

"That the Secretary of the Xavy be aud he is hereby authorized 
to present a sword of honor to Commodore George Dewej', and to cause 
to be struck bronze medals commemorating the battle of Manila bay, 
and to distribute sucli medals to the officers and men of the ships of the 
Asiatic squadron of the United States, under command of Commodore 
George Dewey on May 1, 1898, and that to enable the Secretary to 
carry out this resolution the sum of $10,000 is hereby appropriated." 

This resolution was also agreed to without debate. 

Choice of a Sword for Dewey. 

In response to the publication of the resolution a great many de- 
signs were submitted. The committee consisted of Assistant Secretary 
of the Navy Charles IT. Allen, United States Senator Henry Cabot 
Lodge, of Massachusetts, who introduced the joint resolution, and Pro- 
fessor Marshal Oliver, of the United States Xaval Academy at Annap- 
olis. The design chosen was that of Mr. Paulding Farnham, of the 
Louse of Tiffany & Co., a member of the National Sculpture Society. 

Tlie sword, witli the exception of the steel blade and the body metal 
of the scabbard, is made entirely of pure gold, 22-karat tine; the grip is 
covered with fine shark-skin, bound with gold wire and inlaid with gold 
stars. Above the shark-skin the handle terminates in a richly carved 
and enamelled gold collar and pommel; a narrow band of oak leaves 
unites the shark-skin to the collar; then come the arms of the Admiral's 
native .state, Vermont, with the motto, "Freedom and unity;" and above 
thi.s, and spreading toward tlie top, is -the Great Seal of the United 
States, with the blue field of the shield in emimel. The shield in the 
arms of Vermont is also enamelled. The collar is surmounted witli a 
closely woven wreath of oak leaves, the standard decoration for rank, 
and the inteiwening spaces between the decorations are studded with 
stars. On tlie pijuimel is carved the name of the battU'-ship Olympia and 
the zodiacal sign for the T'lonth of December, when Dewey was born. 

Elaborate Decorations. 

The guard is composed of a conventional cagh', terminating in a 
claAv clasping the top, the outspread wings foniiing the guard proper. 
The eagle bears a laurel wreath in its beak. 

The scabbard is of thin steel, damaskeened in gold with sprays of Ros 



DEWEY FROM WAR TO WAR. 165 

Mariniis, signifying fidelity, constancy, and remembrance. The sprays 
are interlaced in the form of a series of cartonclies, with a star iu the 
center of each, while dolphins fill the onter spaces. Sprays of oak leaves 
and acorns secnre the rings and trappings of the scabbard; above these, 
on the front of the scabbard, is a raised monogram iu brilliants (dia- 
monds) entv^-ining the letters "G. D.," and immediately under them are 
the letters "IT. S. X.," surrounded by sprays of Ros Mariuus. The feniile, 
or lower end of the scabbard, terminates in entwined gold dolphins. 

An Inscription of Honor. 

The sword blade is damaskeened with the inscription: 

"The Gift of the Nation to Rear-Admiral George Dewey, U. S. N., in 
jflemory of the victory at Manila bay, May 1st, 1898." 

A Phoenician gallery, represeutiug the first craft of the world's 
)iavies, supplies the rest of the ornament on this side of the blade. On 
the other side of the blade is shown a flight of the eagles of victory, 
bearing festoons of laurel. 

The mountings of the belt and trappings are the regulation buckles, 
l)ierced slide-rings and swivels — all of 22-karat gold ornamented with 
fiftk leaves and acorns. The bullion tassel and embroidered belting were 
e-tpecially made, and are much superior to those usually employed. 

The Congressional resolution was placed in the hands of one of the 
most expert of the man}' engrossing clerks employed by the Department 
of State, and, after several weeks of painstaking labor, was finally for- 
w.u'ded to Rear-Admiral Dewey on July 21, 1S98. 

Acknowledgments from the Departments. 

The resolution was beautifully embossed and prefaced by a formal 
attestation of its authenticity by Secretary of State Day, the whole 
being enclosed in richly gilt and ornamented Russia covers. It is to 
be remarked that Secretary Long, in his letter of transmission, makes 
reference to a letter from the Secretary of State complimenting Admiral 
Dewey upon his direction of affairs, since the great naval victory, a for- 
mal evidence that the State Depar-tment is thoroughly well satisfied with 
the diplomatic qualities he has exhibited. 

The letter of Secretary Long is as follows: 



ir,6 DKWEV FUOM WAR TO WAR. 

"The Navy Di'iiartmciil, ANasliiiijitdu, July L'l, 1898.— The depart- 
iiient has received from tlie Secretary <if State au enjjrossed and certitied 
copy of a joint resolution of Congress, tenderinj:; the thanks of Conjirress 
to you and the officers and nieu of the squadron under yotir commaud, 
for transmission to you, and herewith encloses the same. 

"Accompanying the copy of the joint resolution the department 
received a letter from the Secretary of State re(]uestin<;: there be con- 
veyed to you his hiuli appreriation of your character as a naval officer, 
and of the good judj;iiient and prudence you have shown in directinjj; 
alTairs since the date of your {jreat achievement in destroyiuj; the Span- 
ish fleet. I take great pleasure in doing this, and join most heartily 
tin behalf of the Navy Departnu-nt, as well as in-rsoually, in the com- 
liienilalinn of I he Secretarv of State. 

"JOHN D. 1A)NG. 

*'l{ear-A(liuiral (Icoige Dewey, V. S. N., Commander-in-Chief United 
Stales Naval Forces, Asiatic Station." 

Admiral George Dewey. 

When Congress reconvened for the short session in December, 1808, 
Itt-presentative Livingston of (Jeorgia introduced the following bill to 
revive tlie grade and rank of Admiral of the Navy f(U" (leorge Dewey, 
as a still further mark of consideration and reward for his services 
(o his country: 

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Kepresentatives of the 
I'liitcd States of America in Congress assembled, that, to provide 
(irompt and ade<|uate reward to Kear-Admiral George Dewey, the grade 
and rank of Admiral in the I'nited States Navy be, and it is hereby re- 
vi.-ed, with the same duties, i>ay an<l jirivileges a]»purtenant thereto 
that were by law given to the former aiiiinintees to said rank, the said 
grade and rank Id exist only iluring the lifetime of this dtlicer." 

This !)ill passed buth Imuses of Congress without opposition and was 
signed by the President with alacrity. Pursuant to the desire of the 
Nation, thus <'Xpressed. ]*i-esideiit McKinley commissioned Kcar-Ad- 
miral Dewey as Admiral, and ili;il I'ank is again Inld in ihc I'nited 
Slates navy for the fii-si lime since it was vacated ]i\ the death of Ad- 
i.iiral Porter, who sui-ceeded Adiiiiial I'arragiil in this rank when Far- 
ragiit rlicd. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE PHILIPPENE ISLANDS IN HISTORY. 

The Orient Always an Object of Interest and Desire — Writers of Authority 
on the Philippines — Magellan's Famous Voyage under the Flag of 
Spain — The Ladrones Discovered — Arrival at Mindanao — Relations 
with the Natives — Legaspi Sails from Mexico for the Philippines— 
The Subjugation of the Islands — Revolt and Insurrection— The British 
Invasion. 

Far in that eastern ocean which was the object of so much daring 
venture for the navigators of the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth 
centuries, lie those islands in which we are beginning to discover an 
interest — the Philippine archipelago. Then the Orient was a mysterious 
region, marked on the map by fabulous monsters, tempting men's cu- 
pidity by tales of fabulous wealth. Japan, China, the East Indies and 
the Indian and Burman peninsulas, with their coasts and adjacent is- 
lands, were considered then the treasure-house waiting to be despoiled 
by whatever European mouarchs could reach them first, with adven- 
turous captains leading plundering expeditions. Cathay, Tartary, the 
Indies, the Spice Islands, were the names that appealed to men" then, 
but they meant the same regions that are now the objects of rivalry 
among those interested in the "Eastern Question." 

In the last few hundred years, men have learned that no country 
offers wealth without work, but they are none the less anxious for 
commercial and political dominance over those lands of the Orient that 
were so obscurely known in the earlier day. The people of the United 
States find themselves thrust into a position where every interest de- 
mauds that they possess the fullest information possible concerning the 
conditions they will have to meet in dealing with the strange races With 
which they will come in contact. This is equally true whatever solution 
of the involved problems is to be finally accepted as correct. 

Thus justified by the evident needs, I have not hesitated to draw 



168 THE PHILIPI'IXE ISLANDS IX UISTORY. 

upon the informatlou feathered by other writei-s than myself concerning 
the Philippine islands, and for this service I desire to otTer full acknowl- 
edgment. It is not possible now to write couceruinj;- the history, the 
resources, the races and the conditions of the Philippines without mak- 
ing use of the labor of John Foreman and Dean V. Worcester. For 
many years the work of the former was the only one of consequence 
concerning the Philippines. Historically it still remains an essential 
contribution to the literature of the islands. Prof. Worcester made 
studies throughout the ar(lii|»c]ago' which will be of iinnn'iisc value 
iu aiding to a solution of ]ir(il)lciiis llial ma^' arise. His writings are 
those of the student and tlicy I'dnii llic most acceptable and recent 
authority on details of the characteristics and conditions of the people 
and the islands. I'rom a recent work by Trumbull White, too, many 
of the descriptive and historical facts have been drawn. The acknowl- 
edgment is made thus definite here, because this book will be more 
indebted to these works than can possibly be indicated by (piotation 
marks. 

Notable Era of Exploration. 

It was only twenty-seven years after the first voyage of ("olnmbus 
that another voyage under Spanish auspic(>s bt'gan, the results of 
which are now intertwined with oui- own liistnry. The period of ex- 
ploration which made Hie lifteenth century notable and which Avas 
crowned by the voyages of Columbus, stimulated the navigators of 
Spain, Portugal, Holland, England and France to the utmost rivalry 
in tlieir search for new lands and new seas. Halboa's discovery of the 
Pacilic ocean induced many efforts to find the passage which pre- 
sumably would give access to it from the Atlantic, but venture after 
venture ended in failure. Spain was in pinfit once more by the w'ork 
of an alien, Avho, like Columbus, had turned from his own country to 
a strange ninnari li for encouragement and means. Ferdinand Magel- 
lan or Hernando Maghellanes, as the name stands in its original form, 
was a nobleman of Portugal, who liad campaigned f<ir liis king in wars 
at home, fighting bravely and winning fame. -Ii-alous comiianions 
attacked him, discrediting his service and the wounds that rendered him 
a cripi>le. Iveseiiting his sov(>reign's ingratitude, Magellan left Portugal, 
became a citizen of Spain and finally won the favor of King Charles I. 

In those days muuarchs were not exempt fimu the comuiercial 



THE pniLirrixE islands in history. 173 

spirit, and an agreement was made by wliicli Magellan undertook the 
discovery of mw spice islands. The king provided live vessels fully 
equiiiped and was a partner in the venture to the extent of sharing 
the larger part of the prospective profits. It was on the tenth day 
of August, 1519, that the explorer set sail with his modest fleet, and 
four mouths later the first stage of the voyage terminated with safe 
arrival at Kio de Janeiro. 

Hardships of Magellan's Voyage. 

Magellan had lo Tiudergo an experience like that of his illustrious 
predecessor and face a mutiny. Sailing from the Brazilian capital 
southward, in the endeavor to find a passage to the Pacific, he encoun- 
tered severe cold weather and resultant restlessness. The commander 
planned to enter one of tlie rivers which came down to the ocean from 
the interior of South America and there pass the winter, but his otficers 
and crews disagreed on this proposition, some wishing to sail for home, 
some willing to follow their leader's plan, and others anxious to form 
plans of their own. It was the captains themselves who were most 
difficult to discipline. One of them was executed, in punishment for 
an attack made u^wn the commander, and another was set ashore in 
irons. Then the fleet entered the river as Magellan willed and passed 
the winter there in safety and comfort. The expedition moved slowly 
southward after spring opened, losing one ship by desertion and an- 
other by wreck, but on the 28th of October, 1520, the remaining three 
reached the straits separating Patagonia from Tierra del Fuego, which 
ever since has been known by the name of this first European com- 
mander who passed through them. 

Sailing westward and northward for many weeks, on the 101 h of 
March, 1521, Magellan discovered what we now know as the Ladrone 
or Marianne islands. Magellan gave them a more musical name, call- 
ing them the Islas de las Velas or islands of the sails, because of the 
resemblance of some of the sharper hills, from a distance, to the sails 
of his vessels. After a short stay on these islands Magellan sailed 
southwestward, reaching for his next landfall the north coast of Min- 
danao, the largest island of the southern Philippines. 



17i TUi: I'illLll'l'INE ISLANDS IN HISTORY. 



Natives Welcome the Strangers. 

Like Columbus iu the West Indies, the exi)lt)ref lnuiul tlie natives 
friemlly and 5,'lad to furnisli the Spaniards with plentiful i)rovisious. 
The local chief, who was, perhaps, the king of the island, related 
enticing tales of the riches of the other islands in the archipelago, par- 
ticularly of Cebu, and offered to pilot the expedition there because the 
king was a relative of his. Naturally this generous i)roposition was ac- 
cepted with alacrity, and Magellan, after taking formal possession of 
Mindanao in the name of his Spanish patron, sailed away for the 
neighboring islands. 

He reached Cebu on tin' 7th of August, his arrival spreading alarm 
among the natives who saw from the beach the strange craft. The 
chieftain from Mindanao, however, gave them assurance that the 
strangers were but seeking food and were without any hostile design. 
The king of Cebu thereupon pi-oposed to make a treaty with Magellan 
with both Spanish and native ceremony. This proposition wa.s wel- 
comed by the Spanish commander, who brought his men on shore, 
where impressive ceremonies w'ere performed. The Spaniards erected 
a hut and celebrated mass in it, much to the interest of the impres- 
sionable natives. The members of the royal family and their retainers 
and other influential men were baptized and swore allegiance to their 
new master, the King of Spain. Then the native custom followed and 
the ceremony of exchange of blood in token of brotherhood was cele- 
brated. Xo time was lost in beginning the activities which were to 
follow this offensive and defensive alliance. The king was in the midst 
of war with some of his neighbors and Magellan entered into the con- 
flict with his own men and arms with apparent pleasure. The result 
was fateful to him. AVilhin a few months he was wounded during 
an unimportant skirmisii (Hi liic iillh- island of Madau, and died there 
iu a short time. 

First Circumnavigation of the Globe. 

When (he domiuanl fdrcc of .Nhigellan's ])crsoiialily was los), lh« 
ex]M'(lit ion's dillicuKies l)cgan to multiply. Trouble rose ImIwccu 
S|panish an<l iialivcs and I wciity-scvcu of tlic fnrnicr were slain jy 



THE PHILiri'IXE ISLANDS IN HISTORY. 175 

treachery at a banquet where they had been guests of honor. The 
total number of men for the three ships was now reduced to one hun- 
dred, an altogether insufiicieut number for the long homeward voyage. 
As a measure of prudence, one of the vessels was burned and the other 
two sailed westward again, this time discovering the large island of 
Palawan and touching a part of north Borneo. At Tidor a cargo of 
spices was taken aboard, but one of the vessels sprang a leak and had 
to be abandoned. The other continued the voyage and finally reached 
Spain again, after undergoing many more hardships and adventures 
fur her crew, thus completing the first circumnavigation of the globe. 
Although the results of this notable voyage w^ere sufficient to stim- 
ulate King Charles to the organization of two more expeditions, 
neither of them accomplished anything commensurate with the expense 
labor and time involved. It was more than forty years later before 
any serious attempt was made to reduce the lands to possession. 
Although the Philippines were nominally a part of the Spanish 
realm, their value was a matter of doubt, no commerce with them 
was organized, they produced no revenue, and there was not even a 
Spanish officeholder in the whole of the archipelago. It was Philip 
IL, in whose honor the islands were to be named, inspired by religious 
zeal, who set out to conquer and convert to Catholicism the millions 
of islanders. 

From Mexico to the Philippines. 

The expedition was equipped in the American colonies of Spain, 
four ships and a frigate being made ready on the west coast of Mexico. 
Four hundred soldiers and sailors were gathered as an army of inva- 
sion under the famous leader, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, with six Auo-us- 
tine monks to introduce Christianity and look after the spiritual wel- 
fare of the native races who were to be conquered. The date of this 
expedition was 1503, but its progress was slow and some years inter- 
vened before the islands came under extended influence of the Span- 
iards. Legaspi took possession of Magellan's Islas de las Velas on 
the way, changing the name to the Ladrone or "robber" islands, as a 
tribute to the expert thievery of the natives, who adroitly stole a boat 
from one of his ships. 

Legaspi reached the Philippines first at Camaguin, and after 



176 THE ^HILI^PI^"E ISLANDS IX HISTORY. 

touching at Bohol and sending one of his boats to Mindanao, decided to 
begin his invasion of Cebu. The ruling monarch, -who had succeeded 
the Icing of Magellan's time, was much exercised upon the arrival of 
the squadron, and, selecting one of his bravest subjects, sent him Jis 
a spy to report on the Spaniards. The man came back deeply im- 
pressed by Avhat he had seen, to assui-e his sovereign that the ships 
were manned by giants with long pointed noses, who were dressed 
in magnificent robes, ate stones, drank fire and blew smoke out of their 
mouths. With such a report as that filed for his official consideration, 
the king could do little but make peace with the powerful strangers. 
When Legaspi lauded on the 2Tth of April, ISfio, to take possession 
of the town, he met a Avelcome, but the natives soon became suspicious 
of his motives and made energetic attacks upon him. At one time his 
forc-e was in great danger of extermination, but he held on bravely 
while the people grew accustomed to the new conditions. Then the 
Portuguese appeared on the scene and set up a claim for the islands, 
but they were soon driven off and the pacification of Cebu and the 
neighboring islands proceeded steadily. 

In 15G9 Panay was invaded and the next year Legaspi's grand- 
son, Salcedo, was sent with an expedition to subdue Luzon. June 24, 
1571, the first city council of Manila was established and forms of 
government were enacted. One year later Legaspi died. 

The remarkable energies and abilities of this first conqueror of 
the Philipi)ines cannot be ignored. Ilis achievements were almost 
incredible. In Spain to-day lie is still named as one of their notable 
heroes of conquest. 

Spanish and Chinese at "War. 

The Spaniards were hardly more than etjinforlably settled in pos- 
session of their easily acquired new domain, when troubles began to 
brew. The rulers of China and Japan both claimed rights in the 
arcliipelago, and the former made a strenuous effort to enforce his rights 
and expel the rival conquerors. 

The most desperate of these attacks was tliat under the Chinese 
general and pirate, Li Mali Ong. The records are somewhat confusing 
.1/. to liis identity and status. At any rate he chanced to fall in with a 
Ciiiiifse trading jiink whirli was I'ctiirning from a trip to Luzon. Tliis 



THE PIIILirPlXE ISLANDS W HISTORY. 177 

he captured and forced her crew to pilot him to Manila. He brought 
with him a formidable fleet of sixtv-two armed junks. Hurried prepa- 
rations were made for the defense of Manila against the threatened 
raid. The Chinese attacked the city immediately upon their arrival, 
forcing their way within the walls of the citadel itself. Hand to hand 
combats lasted for several days. The Spaniards fought with bravery, 
finally repelling the Mongolian invaders. Many vessels of the Chinese 
fleet were destroyed and large numbers of the soldiers and sailors 
killed. 

Li Mah Ong next landed on the west coast of Luzon, establishing 
a settlement at the mouth of the Agno river, where he remained un- 
disturbed for several months. Then a strong force was sent against 
him and again he was driven out. With the larger part of his force 
he left the archipelago for good. Many of the soldiers, however, were 
driA'en into the mountains as fugitives. With characteristic Chinese 
philosophy they settled in the fertile valleys of the interior and started 
communities which are still flourishing at the present time. They 
took wives from among the savages and to-day their descendants are 
hardly distinguishable from other Malays, although they take deep 
pride in their descent and look down upon their neighbors as being of 
an inferior race. 

Mongolians Massacred in the Philippines. 

The Spanish conquerors did not forget their antagonism to the 
Chinese, and at various times there were general massacres of the 
Mongolians which cost them thousands of lives. One of the more nota- 
ble massacres of the Chinese took place in 1662. There was a Mongol 
chief in China who refused to yield at the time of the Tartar invasion 
in the middle of the seventeenth century. Instead he sailed to Formosa 
Avith his troops. At that time Dutch settlements had been founded in 
the island and 2,800 of the Europeans were attacked by about 100,000 
Chinese and were forced to surrender. Word reached Manila that the 
Chinese were contemplating a descent upon the Spanish colony and the 
governor of the Philippines accused the Chinese among his own sub- 
jects of conspiracy in the contemplated attack. All the available forces 
were concentrated and when everything was ready the Chinese were 
incited to rebel and a general massacre followed. Men, women and 



178 THE riULllM'IXE rsrA\I>^; TX nL^TORY. 

chilrlren weiv killed iiidiscrimiuatt'ly, tlu^ Spanianls at first intending; 
to kill every (ine of the Chinainwi. Before they had carried out this 
intention it fortunately occurreil to them that the resulting- lack of 
tradesmen and mechanics would cause inconvenience, so those who re- 
mained alive were ji;ra«-iously pardoned ou condition of layinj;' down 
their arms. Some of the Chinese escaped to Formosa. 

In 170!) another massacre of Chinese occurred, this time only a few 
hundreds of the luckless Mongolians being killed. The rest of them, 
however, were deported, and after the fashion ilial liad been estab- 
lished, all their propcniy was conliscated and ilividcd between the 
church and the state. 

Between l(i2S and the middle of the next century nine attempts were 
made by the Sjtaniards to comiuer the Sulu islands, but in every in- 
stance they were repulsed with heavy losses. 

Three Centuries of Insurrection. 

The liistnry of insurrection and revolt iu tlu' I'hilipiiines does not 
begin with ISDG. Although our interest has not been sufficient to be 
<lirected to the Philippines until recently, the population of those islands 
have had to contend with oppression which they have resented by uj)- 
risings frequently and energetically. The first noteworthy uprising 
Avas made by the natives of Bohol in 1022. The causes which led 
to it were the same that have ])r()voked many of the more recent 
revcdts — namely, the tyranny of the dnirch and the burdensome taxes 
levied by church and state alike. The rebels were dispersed by troops 
under the governor of Cebu. So far as the causes of the outbreak 
of insurrections are concerned, they do not need to be reiterated in the 
successive revolts. Sometimes some sjjecial feature of oppression sdni- 
ulatcd I he outbreak, but the seeds of discontent always lay doiniant 
uiidiT Spanish dominion ready to germiiialc at tiic slightest signal. 

Tlic jicople of iiortlicast Mindanao brolce out with anotlici' rcv<ilt 
in 1C.2!I ami were promptly sujiju'essed. Twenty years lalci', ilic ])coplc 
of Samar rebelled on account of an attemjjt to force them into mili- 
tary service. T'nder the leadership of a chief named Sumoroy they killed 
a priest and sackeil the churches along the coast. The governor of 
the island dis]iatcheil native emissaries to bring in Sumoroy's head, 
but llicy sent him instead the head of a pig. The revolt sjircad and 



THE rillLlPPINE ISLANDS IN HISTORY. 179 

troops were dispatched into the interior to quell it. They failed to take 
Sumoroy, but found his mother in a hut, and, true to ►Spanish traditions, 
literally tore the defenseless old woman to pieces. Sumoroy was 
at length betrayed by his own people. This uprising spread to other 
provinces and trouble arose in Masbate, Cebu and Mindanao. In the 
latter island things assumed so threatening an aspect that a large force 
of infantry was sent against the rebels. The officer in command, being 
a diplomatist, first published a general pardon in the name of the 
king. He then made prisoners of the crowds of insurgents who flocked 
to his camp and sent them to Manila, where a few of them were par- 
doned and others executed, the majority, however, being made galley 
slaves. 

Revolt at the Cavite Arsenal. 

The natives of I'ampanga province grew weary of being obliged to 
cut timber for the Cavite arsenal without pay, and in IGGO they revolted. 
Neighboring provinces joined in the rebellion and a native named 
Malong was declared king. He organized an army which was re- 
cruited to the number of nearly 40,000. Many Spaniards were killed, 
but the natives were finally defeated and scattered. 

The Jesuit priesthood in the Philippines was_the stimulus for one 
of the more successful insurrections. In 1744 the despotism of a Jesuit 
priest caused an uprising in Bohol. The priest had not only ordered his 
parishioners arrested when they failed to attend mass, but had directed 
that the body of one of them should be left unburied to decay in the 
sun. The brother of this man organized a force, captured the priest 
and paid him in his own coin, killing and exposing his body for four 
days. The rebel forces were rapidly augmented by men who complained 
that while they were risking their lives in military service for the 
government, their homes were wrecked and their wives and families 
maltreated to secure the payment of tribute. The insurgents main- 
tained their independence for thirty-five years, at the end of which 
time the Jesuits were expelled from the colony. 

Insurrections of the Present Century. 

The famous revolt led by Xovales and Ruiz occurred in 182:1 Under 
these officers a body of native troops tried to seize Manila and j)la(e 



ISO THE I'lULiri'IXE ISLANDS IN HISTORY. 

their leaders at I lie licad of the governmeut. It is needless to say that 
the attempt was an utter failure, but it was verj^ fierce and blood- 
thirsty, althon<;h short, and is said to have cost the lives of 5,000 people 
Avithin a week. Among the other uprisings which may be mentioned 
are one in Cebu in 1827 and one in Negros in 1844. The latter is said 
to have resulted from the governor's compelling slate prisoners to work 
for his jjrivate advantage. 

Until the rebellion of 1890 brcdce out, the most formidable insur- 
rection occurred at Cavite in 1872. There were conspirators both 
at the arsenal and in the capital and it had been agreed that when 
the opportune moment arrived, the Manila contingent should signal the 
fact by discharging a rocket. The Cavite insurgents mistook fireworks 
sent up at a local celebration for the expected signal and began opera- 
tions prematurely. They were forced to retire to the arsenal and all 
were eventually killed or captured. 

Hostility to the Spanisli friars was at the bottom of this uprising 
also. A certain Dr. Burgos luid headed a party wliich demanded ful- 
fillment of the decisions of the Council of Ti'eut prohibiting friars from 
holding parishes. Tliese provisions had never been carried out in the 
I'hilippiues, and the various orders were steadily growing more rich, 
powerful and arrogant. It is commonly believed that churchmen were 
the real instigators of this revolt, desiring to involve Burgos and his 
followers in treasonable transactions and thus bring about their death. 
However this may have been, the friars insisted that thej' should be 
executed and were able to enforce their desire. 

The English Capture of Manila. 

In Ihe latter lialf <if the eighteenth century, when all Europe was at 
war, the I'hilipi)ines did not escape the consequences of those far-away 
hostilities. Great Britain declared war against France and kSpain in 
17(!1. Havana was captured by the British, and a fleet was dispatched 
under Admiral Cornisli with orders to take Manila. On the 22d of 
September, 17(52, tliis fleet arrived before the doomed city, and land 
forces were disembarked under command of General Draper. After a 
stcmt resistance upon the part of the S])anish garrison, whicli was 
brave but far iufericu- to the English force in numbers, the city finally 
fell. 



THE PHILIPI'IXE ISLANDS IX HISTORY. 183 

The terms of capitulation were drawn up by Draper and the arch- 
bishop of Manila, who in the absence of a governoi'-general was serving 
in a double capacity'. The agreement called for freedom in the exercise 
of religion; security of private property; free trade for all the inhabi- 
tants of the islands, and the continuance of the courts for the main- 
tenance of order. The Spanish were to pay an indemnity of .|1,000,000. 
In harmony with a custom then sadly common among victorious armies, 
the city was given over for pillage. The English troopers are said to 
have shown moderation, but the Sepoys, of whom Draper had brought 
2,200 from India, outraged, robbed and murdered the inhabitants in 
the very streets. On the following day there was a similar scene, where- 
upon the archbishop protested and Draper restored order. 

British Occupation Incomplete. 

The surrendered territory included the whole archii3elago, but the 
English never occupied more than that part of it which lay immediately 
around Manila. Even there they were not left undisturbed. One of 
the justices of the supreme court named Simon de Anda escaped in a 
native boat to the province of Bulacan. He declared himself governor- 
general and raised an army, but the desultory fighting which ensued 
between his forces and the British had no decisive results. A con- 
spiracy to assassinate Anda and his Spanish followers was discovered 
among the Chinese in Pampanga province and a massacre of the Mon- 
gols followed. Anda was so enraged with them that he issued a procla- 
mation declaring them all traitors and ordered them hanged wherever 
found. Thousands who had been in no way concerned in the conspiracy 
r>re said to have been executed. 

The war indemnity which had been agreed iipon was not forth- 
ccming. The British forces were harassed by attacks from without the 
city and by fear of treachery within, and at last the officers fell to 
quarreling among themselves. Meanwhile the war had come to an end 
iu Eurox)e, and the evacuation of Manila had- been provided for by the 
terms of the treaty of Paris concluded on the 10th day of February, 
17G;'.. Anda, however, refused to consider the war ended until his 
authority was recognized, and hostilities in the Philippines continued 
for some months. Finally a new governor-general came from Spain, 
The British commanders Avere quite ready to turn the difficult problem 



1S4 TLJK !'l!ll.li'i'lNK ISi.AND^S IX ULSTORY. 

over to bim, aud they ])romi)tlj evaeuated the city and saiknl away, 
although a considerable portion of the indemnity still remained unpaid. 
It is more than likely „that England would have kept the Philippines 
at that time if the European war had continued much longer, but Spain 
and France both sued for peace and the same ti*eaty which ended the 
French and Indian war, as it was known in the American colonies of 
Great Britain and of France, provided for the restitution of Manila to 
the governnient at Madrid. 

The Cholera Panic in the Philippines. 

A crisis of anothi-r form came to the Philippine islands in 1S20, 
which almost destroyed civilization in the colony. For the first time 
in its modern history the archipelago was invaded bj' Asiatic cholera. 
It began at Sampaloc, near Manila, spread to the capital city aud 
thence went into every part of Luzon. The mortality was frightful, 
some records declaring that over one-half of the population died from 
the disease. In the height of the epidemic the ignorant Spaniards aud 
motives were seized with the idea that the disease was the result of a 
wliolesale plot to poison them in the interests of the foreigners of the 
community. Mobs rose all over tlie island and massacred Chinese, 
French, English, Americans, and finally the Spaniards themselves. 
Houses were burned, citiz(>ns rolihcti and l)nildiugs looted. TTltimatel}' 
the ilisordei'S were quelled. 

Since tlie revolt of Xovales and Ituiz in 1823, the career of the 
Philippines has been comparatively- calm and quiet except the Burgos 
rebellion at Cavlte in 1S72. There have been many minor uprisings, 
riots and revolts, but the policy of the government has grown sterner 
with the years and merciless measures have been put in effect. The 
smallest riot has been the signal for martial la;n'. Small gunboats have 
made it possible to rush troops to the scene of every insurrection and 
not too much care has been taken to be sure of the guilt of those ar- 
rested. Every one involved or suspected usually has been tried by court 
martial and shot without delay. It was this condition that led up to 
tlie revolt of 1890. Beginning with that revolution the hi.story of the 
Philippines has an American point of view to be considered. 



CHAPTER X. 

ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES. 

The Native Tribes of the Philippines — Islands Comprising the Group — Cli- 
matic Conditions — Safeguards Against Disease — Earthquakes and 
Volcanoes — Animal and Vegetable Life — Land and Water Reptiles — 
Beasts and Birds in Countless Numbers — Extensive Pearl Fisheries — 
Mineral Wealth of the Islands — Chinese Interests in the Mines — 
Valuable Discoveries and Future Development. 

It has been the general impression among travelers in the Orient 
that the Philippines contained little of interest to them outside of the 
island of Luzon, and to many of them the city of Manila has been the 
only objective point. Possibly the tourist would make a few trips into 
the interior of Luzon, and on rare occasions a hurried visit to one or 
two of the adjacent islands might be included in the itinerary. The 
traveler who has made these excursions is usually of the opinion that 
he has seen all of importance that is to be seen. This x^pular con- 
ception of the islands is greatly at variance with the facts in the case. 

There are more than eighty distinct tribes of the natives who form 
the bulk of the eight million inhabitants of the island. 

These tribes are scattered throughout the valleys, the hillsides and 
the mountain forests of a thousand islands widely separated from one 
another. The Philippines, beginning at the south, are within five de- 
grees of the equator and extend northerly nearly thirteen hundred miles, 
equal almost to the distance from New York to Omaha. From the ex- 
tremes of the east and west they cover an expanse of water nearly six 
hundred miles across. The limits of longitude is from 117 to 127 east 
of Greenwich. The principal towns and cities are comparatively easy of 
access, but the traveler or explorer who seeks to be well informed on this 
far Eastern country and its people by visiting only these places in beaten 
paths, is only deluding himself. It is only by extended visits to the remote 
localities that an adequate idea can be had of the mysterious processes of 

185 



186 ISLAND GEOGKAl-nY, CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES. 

the works of nature in her prodigality of gifts to this garden-land of 
the tropics. 

It can be seen that the tourist in the interior of the Philippines must 
get over the ground very slowly. The number of islands and the area 
of the Philippine Archipelago is not accurately known. More than a 
thousand miles of w^ater separate the Caroline and the Ladrone islands 
from the Philippines, and they cannot any more be considered as of the 
Philippine group than New Guinea or the Solomon islands. The prin- 
cipal 

Islands Composing the Group 

are as follows, compared in area Avith our own states: 

Luzon, 41,000 square miles Ohio, 41,0G0 

Mindanao, 37,500 square miles Indiana, 30,350 

Samar, 5,300 square miles V 

Panay, 4,G00 s.iuare miles Connecticut, 4,<J90 

Palawan, 4,1.50 square miles ( 

Mindoro, 4,050 square miles/ 

T . o AAA -1 ( Delawiire, 2,050 

Leyte, 3,090 square miles -^ ^.,^^^^^^^ j^^.^^^^^ ^^250- 3,300 

Negros, 2,300 square miles Delaware, 2,050 

Cebu, 1,050 square miles ) IJhode Island, 1,250 

Masbate, 1,315 square miles \ 

Bohol, 925 square miles. Catanduanes, 450 square miles. 
Total area of the above 12 islands, 100,330. 

The following twenty islands have an area averaging about one 
hundred and seventy-five square miles each: Sulu, Basilan, (-ulion, 
Busnauga, Tablas, Marinduque, Guimaras, Dinagot, Tawi Tawi, Bal- 
abac, Siquijor, Libuyan, Panaou, Cansiguin, Bomblon, Polillo, Siargao, 
Ticao, Biliran and Burias. 

It will be seen from the above figures that the northernmost and the 
largest in size, Luzon, and the southernmost and the second in size, 
Mindanao, contain the bulk of the total area. These two large islands, 
separated by an expanse of the water hundreds of miles across, stand olf 
from each other Avith all of the hundreds of smaller islands between, 
as if to protect them. 



ISLAND GEOGRAPHY COXDITIOXS AND EEt^OUKCES. 1S7 

But the majestic volcanic piles, tlie higli altitudes aud diversity of 
climate, for a tropical one, the minerals, the luxuriant tropical j)lants, 
the forests, the harmless mammals, the variegated birds, the prodi- 
gious productions of the primitively cultivated soil by its queer and 
strangely confused people will abundantly repay the student bent on 
a general line of research or the one on a special or technical line, for the 
task involved and hardships encountered. The trip from Manila to Iloilo, 
Panay and Cebu or even to Zamboango, by steamship, is comparatively 
easy, although passenger and mail communication between the princi- 
pal points has been infrequent. The accommodations are far from first- 
class and long waits for steamers are apt to be one of the disagreeable 
incidents of inter-island travel. The poor accommodations are offset to 
a considerable extent, however, by the unrivalled placid waters, at all 
times, that are found some distance south of Manila. For fascinating 
beauty and eternal calmness the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea fully 
rival the famous inland sea of Japan. They are beyond the region of the 
dreaded typhoons so common at certain seasons on all sides of Luzon. 

Storms of Wind and Rain. 

The seasons of wind and rain vary in the different islands and often 
in different localities on the same island. Mindanao and some of the 
other southern islands are not affected by the trade winds, and destruc- 
tive typhoons are unknown in them. The typhoons in Luzon and other 
islands to the north have destroyed whole villages, uprooted trees and 
destroyed everything in their paths. Nothing is dreaded more by the 
navigators of these waters than the typhoon. 

The southern monsoon generally begins in May, accompanied by 
deluges of rain, and lasts until October. Following this is a season of 
variable winds and calms, followed by the northeast monsoon for four 
or five months. 

These mountain islands are seamed with flat valleys, having rapid 
rivers coursing through them. During the rainy season freshets are 
^the order of the day along these rivers, and they overflow their banks, 
spreading over the valleys in great seas. There is scarcely a city in the 
United States where there may be a few days in July and August when 
the thermometer does not register more heat than the records show in 
the Philippines. This, however, is apt to be very misleading. There is hot 



188 ISLAND (iKOCKAl'UY, CONDITIONS AND KESOUKCES. 

weather iu thf l*liilipi)ines every month of the year. Every mouth may 
see the thermometer fall as low as 60° (Fahrenheit) and rise to 90" in 
the shade. Occasionally it may rise to 100° iu the shade in some places. 
It is the great humidity of the atmosphere that makes the heat of 
the Philippiues so uneudurable to Americans and Europeans. Light 
bed coverings are comfortable occasionally during the nights of the 
winter mouths, but usually no bed clothing at all cau be endured. Of 
course, I am not now considering the mountain provinces in high alti- 
tudes. The nights in those regions are quite cool, and the atmosphere 
has much less humidity than at the sea level, and is much more en- 
durable to white people. 



Physical EflTects of the Climate. 

Malaria and dj-sentery are trying to Americans in the low districts 
of many of the islands. With proper sanitary conditions, however, 
the coast towns and cities should be much more heallhy than thej- are. 
The water supply from mountain streams is usually pure and sparkling. 

Americans in going to the Philippines must live in a way best suited 
to the climate. If they have "habits," they must control them, if they 
wish to keep in good health. It would be as well to leave American 
strong drinks at home, and if anything beside water is drunk, light wines 
should be used. Excessive drinking of the liquors used iu our own coun- 
try is certain to undermine the health of the strongest man in the Phil- 
ippines in a very few months. The man who Avill refrain from all the 
excesses, avoids violent phj'sical exertion, does not expose himself to 
the hot sun in the middle of the day, and exercises proper care as to 
his diet, should enjoy good health in the Philippines. 

The explorer, the engineer and those who comprise the advance 
guard, looking to the development of the untouched resources of the 
countrj', cannot trifle with their digestive organs, and caution must be 
their watchword if they desire to complete their labors with impunity. 

The traveler is fortunate, indeed, if he escapes the serious bowel 
troubles that have played such havoc among the troops in the United 
States Army. 

Jfalaria, which is usually Jiccouipanied by fever, takes all the energy 
from the strongest man, and few es( ape it who travel over the islands 



ISLAND GEOGKAPHY, CONDITIONS AND KESOUKCES. 189 

to any extent. Those who are not careful about sleeping on the ground, 
as well as to their diet, are inviting it very soon. There is great dan- 
ger of rheumatism iu the islands also. When sleeping in the house or 
hotels the traveler should always insist upon having an upper-story 
room, if possible, and keep away from the floor next to the ground; espe- 
cially is this advisable in the country towns, where the sanitary condi- 
tions are always wi'etched. The old-fashioned ague of the swamps in 
the "Egypt" of Illinois is preferable to the daily, every other day and 
every third day fevers so liable to attack our race in the Philippines. 

Fevers of Common Occurrence. 

If not immediately and rigorously treated, these fevers become very 
stubborn and difficult to cure. In certain districts the awful calentura 
peruiciosa is a malignant disease of the worst type. It is often accom- 
panied with black vomit. This means certain death to the victim in a 
few hours. It is a disease peculiar to certain localities, however, which 
are left out of the itinerary by native and white travelers alike. The 
Philippines have never been troubled with the bubonic or black jjlague 
like i^arts of China. This is remarkable, too, since the germs of that terri- 
ble disease may be carried by the rats that infest ships, or even by fleas. 

Native Superstitions Regarding Disease. 

Small-pox is as cominou almost as colds are in our country, and 
every native, as a rule, has had the disease when young, the same as 
our children have had the measles. It is no uncommon sight to see a 
child on the street all broken out with the disease that we dread more, 
probably, than any other. Since our army has been in the Philippines 
the pest house has had from thirty to fifty small-pox patients from 
among the soldiers constantly. The army physicians tell me that fifty 
per cent of the whites who contract the disease die. 

The leper hospital in Tondo, an immediate suburb of JIanila, has 
about one hundred patients afflicted with that awful disease, and no 
doubt there is considerable that the Spanish were never able to control 
or isolate. The cholera is very difficult to control when it breaks out, 
but its visitations are not frequent. 

When the natives see a black dog run down the streets they declare 
that the disease breaks out behind him, and that it is the will of God 
and refuse to take the simplest precaution. 



1!)0 IkSLAXD (iEOURAl'HY, CONDlTlOXiS AND HESOURCES. 

The climate of the Philippines is a ver^' tiTiiig one for white women 
and children, and the chances are that those going from America will 
regret the change. It wonld be folly for the white mechanic or laborer 
or farmer to emigrate to these islands with the expectation of laboiiiig 
at his occupation. Even if he were offeretl the most tempting wages, he 
could not perform the work in that climate. It is a safe prediction to 
say that Asiatics and natives will do all the manual labor of the Philij)- 
pines in all the years to come. Labor is the cheapest thing there. II 
is at the same time as little respected as in any country. Whatever else- 
attractive there may be to our country in the Philippines, there is abso- 
lutely nothing there for the American wage-worker to hope for. 



Earthquakes and Volcanoes. 

In the formation of the Philippine Islands, it is puzzling to geolo- 
gists to decide which one the forces of nature created first. Is Luzon 
at the north, Mindanao at the south, or some of those between, the old- 
est? There are active volcanoes in Luzon, Mindanao and Caniiguin. 
It was only during the present year that a sea captain reported that a 
small island appeared above the surface of the water just southwest 
of the Philippines where one had never existed before. Evidences in 
abundance are not lacking in the Philippines of the changes wrought 
by the action of volcanoes and earthquakes. 

The volcanic cone, Mayon, at almost the extreme southern end of 
Luzon, is the most famous in the Philippines. It is 8,925 feet high, and 
constantly in action. The country at the foot of Mayon is very fertile 
and thickly i)opulated, and the people live in dread of the periodical 
eruptions of destructive activity. The last one was on June 25, 1897, 
and the zone of destruction covered moi-e than one hundred miles in 
extent, with great loss of life and property. 

Taal, with an elevation of only 900 feet, is also on Luzon. It is th*' 
lowest active volcano in the world, and is considered more destructive 
than ilayon. Taal is surrounded entirely by fresh water, for it forms 
an island in a lake. It has the appeai-ance of a badly maimed cone, for 
its top wa.s cut off short by a terrific upheaval. 

Apo, on the Island of Mindanao, is the loftiest mountain in the 
islands, with an active crater at its summit, 10,000 feet high. There are 



ISLAND GEOGKAPHY, COXDITIOXS AND RESOURCES. 191 

other active craters in both Luzon and Mindanao, and on one or two 
other islands. 

rahiwan is the only island not visited by earthquakes. Fresh-water 
rivers and lakes abound in all the larger islands, the more important 
ones being on Mindanao and Luzon. Many of them are navigable, but 
their currents, particularly near their mouths, are more shifting than 
the Missouri river. 



Vast Areas of Forests, 

The forests of the Philippines are practically uutuuehed, although 
to the casual visitor the clearings of the natives of small areas might 
look as if a great waste was going on. Patches are cleared away for 
cultivation. The timber is burned. There is only one kind of weed 
that seems to trouble the native farmer, but that usually overwhelms 
him, and finally he has to abandon the field altogether and clear a 
new one, and repeat this every two or three years. This growih has 
more the nature of grass, and its roots grow to a great depth. The 
wooden plows and shiftless management of the native planters do not 
make any inroads on this rank stuff, called cogon. These abandoned 
areas are called cogonales, and afford great fires annually. When it 
rains and the cogon sprouts, stock may browse a little on the tender 
green shoots, but practically it is of no value. 

The decomposition of the lava which washes down from the moim- 
tains makes the artificial fertilization of the soil unnecessary. It is un- 
rivalled in its fertility, but the natives are unable by their primitive 
methods to get anything like all its possibilities in productiveness. 

Animal and Vegetable Life. 

The animal and vegetable life of the Philippines offers a subject 
of endless interest to the traveler 

Pilgrimages into the interior are made on foot or on the back of a 
coolie, or a water-buffalo, also called Chinese oxen and Caraboo. The 
lines of travel are over alleged roads that would not compare favorably 
with the rudest cattle trail of Texas, in the early days. Very few fierce 
animals or reptiles are encountered. Nature takes strange forms so 



192 ISLAND GEOORArHY, CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES. 

universally that one sees hardly a single familiar thing in a Philippine 
landscape. The trees are different, the flowers are different, the birds 
and animals are different, while e^-en the insects npon the earth and 
the tish within the sea are altogether novel. Parties of American 
zoologists who have traveled there have found the islands almost a 
virgin field for their labors, so little ha^•e the Spanish done to investigate 
scientifically. 

Not all of the surprises are pleasant, nor does one have to be a 
zoologist to come early into contact with the animal life of the Philip- 
pines. It is necessary if one is to enjoy any comfort during his resi- 
dence in the islands, to rise superior to such trivial things as armies 
of cockroaches and plentiful mosquitoes and rats. The cockroaches 
grow to a size which justifies them in being classified as beasts of prey, 
those three or four inches in length being quite common. They are 
annoying pests for their destructiveness, playing havoc with eveiy- 
thing of leather and paper. 

Snakes Used as Ratcatchers. 

In order to counteract the attacks of the rats, nearly all of the 
older houses in Manila possess what are called house-snakes. These 
ai-e harmless but huge reptiles, generally twelve or fourteen feet long, 
which permanently reside in the roof and live on the rats. They 
live between the cloth ceilings and walls of the houses and the rafters, 
never leaving their abodes. The natives carry them about Manila for 
sale, curled ui> around bamboo poles, to which their heads are tied. 

The Philippines contain sevei-al varieties of bulTalo which are not 
found elsewhere. They are known in the language of the natives as 
carabaos. These water buffaloes are found wild in most of the larger 
islaud.s. They are often caught young and tamed, after which they 
are employed for beasts of burden. They do most of the heavy haul- 
ing and carting of the country' and are \erj docile although extrava- 
gantly slow. They require a daily mud bath and will not work without 
it. The price of the full-grown carabao broken to Avork is not more 
than thirty dollars at the outside and sometimes as low as ten dol- 
lars. 

There is a smaller buffalo, found only in the island of Mindoro, 
where it lives in the densest jungle. This little animal, called the 



ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, COXDITIOXS AND RESOURCES. 193 

timarau, is a creature of most vicious temper, ai^pareutly untam- 
able. It is graceful in shape aud movement and runs ver}' swiftly. 
Hair and skin are black aud horns large and extremely sharp. The 
timarau if trapped will usually kill itself in trying to escape, and in 
any event will refuse to eat. It voluntarily attacks and kills the much 
larger carabao. 

Animal Foods in Abundance. 

Several species of deer are found in the archipelago, in some 
localities suiticiently numerous to become a valuable addition to the 
meat supply. One species is hardly larger than a goat and another is 
still smaller. It is known as the chevrotain or mouse deer and is ex- 
ceedingly rare. Wild pigs are found in the islands in great abundance. 
They live on food which produces very dainty flesh and the meat 
is much favored in Luzon. There are no wolves nor foxes in the islands 
and no wild dogs. Cattle are extensively raised for beef on some 
of the islands. They are of a small humped variety, and in the Visayau 
islands bullocks are often used as draft animals. Milk is always very 
scarce, while fresh butter and cheese are not to be had at any price. 
Goats are common and are prized both for their milk and their flesh. 

The Philippines are poor in carnivorous animals. A small wildcat 
and two species of civet-cats are the most conspicuous representatives 
of the order. The marsupials which are so numerous in the Austral- 
asian colonies are not found here. In Luzon and some of the other 
islands are numerous varieties of bats in great numbers. At nightfall 
in some places they are so numex'ous as to resemble a great flight of 
birds. The little vampire, which prefers blood for its diet, is there. Then 
the large fruit-bats occur in enormous colonies. Their fur has some 
commercial value and the natives occasionally eat them. Smaller insec- 
tivorous bats are numerous. 

Birds in Countless Numbers. 

Nature has been as generous to the Philippines in birds as she has> 
been niggardly in animals. About 590 species have been identified 
by ornithologists. Some of them are of great value as food aud others 
are notable for their beauty. There are pheasants, pigeons, eagles, par- 
rots, ducks and song birds of great variety. Here in the Philippines 



194 ISLAND GEOGKArHY, COXDITIOaS AND KESOUKCES. 

is found that species of swift, or sea-swallow, which builds the 
nest so favored by the Chinese as a food. These nests are found at 
the proper season in caves or upon almost inaccessible cliffs, and the 
gathering of them is attended with considerable risk. They are made 
from a salivary secretion which rapidly hardens on exposiire to the 
air into a substance resembling white glue in appearance. The best <if 
the nests bring almost their weight in gold from the Chinese epix^urcs. 

The reptiles of the Philii^piues are abundant in variety and num- 
ber. Crocodiles are found in the fresh-water lakes and streams, where 
they grow to great size. Every year they kill many men, horses, buf- 
faloes and smaller animals. Then there are iguanas or large land and 
marsh lizards, the largest of which grow sometimes eight feet in length. 
These, however, are altogether harmless, and they are considered very 
good eating by those who are willing to try them. Iguana eggs are 
almost exactly like turtle eggs. There are other smaller vai'ieties of 
lizards, some of them living on the ground and others in trees, while 
in the houses of Manila the smallest are very common and are not 
considered to be an annoyance. 

Some of the species of snakes are very venomous, although the 
loss of life from snake bite is not great. Pythons and other snakes 
of the constrictor family are plentiful, but as they are not poison- 
ous they are in no way dreaded. The skins of these make a capital 
leather and are used a great deal for decorative work sold in shops. 
There are cobras in Samar, Mindanao, and the Calamianes islands. 
Tlien there are venomous A^arieties known as the rice-leaf snake and 
the alinmorani, the bite of which is as fatal as that of a rattlesnake. 
Besides these there are many water-snakes which are very poisonous, 
some of them even in Manila bay. 

Extensive Pearl Fisheries. 

The fish-markets of Manila offer many varieties of fish in great 
quantity, nearly all strange to the American eye. Jlost of them, how- 
ever, are salt-water fish. They form the staple animal food of the 
natives. Fresh-water fish are less important. Then there are several 
kinds of shell fish and crustaceans, all palatable and uutiitious. Near 
Sulu there are extensive beds of pearl-oysters which yield beautiful 
felu'lls and very fine pearls as well. At present the fisheries are 
ontirelv in the hands of Moro divers, aufl all pearls above a certain size 



ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, COXDITION.S AND RESOURCES. 195 

go by rio-ht to the sultan of Siiln. Chinese buyers purchase the rest 
of the pearls and the shells. From another oyster, handsome black 
pearls are obtained. 

The fruits, flowers and trees of the Philippines are as yaried and 
noyel as the birds. There does not seem to be a spot in the Philip- 
pines, excepting around active volcanoes, where there is not exuberant 
vegetation. The climate is such as to encourage nature to do her best. 
Flowers seem to be more gorgeous than in any country within the tem- 
perate zone. Not only are the flowers indigenous to the Philippines 
found everywhere, but many transplanted to these islands have far 
outstripped their original growth. The geranium becomes a perfect 
weed in the gardens and fields of Manila, while the heliotrope grows 
as a great bush six feet high and a dozen feet in diameter, weighed 
down with a load of blossoms. Roses and tulips grow on trees. 
Oranges and lemons are grown here and produce their exquisite blos- 
soms in enormous quantities. Every yard is a blaze of blossoms, and 
flowers are so cheap that it is hardly necessary to pay for them. 

Fruits in Greatest Varieties. 

The fruits are even more novel than the flowers, hardly any of 
the northern varieties being found in the Philippines. The mango is 
found in its perfection and the banana will win favor from those who 
have never cared for it before. Paw-paws, shaddocks, oranges, lemons, 
limes, citrons, guavas, pineapples, cocoanuts, figs, grapes and tama- 
rinds are names most of them familiar to us at home, although the 
fruit in the Philippines is superior. Less familar dainties are the 
durien, the finest fruit of all, which has an exquisite flavor, but an odor 
like that of limburger cheese, the chica, the lomboy, the loquot, the 
mangosteen, the lanzon, custard apples, the santol, bread fniit, jack- 
fruit, the mabolo, the laichee, the macapa and the avocado or alligator 
pear. 

The forests of the Philippines contain an inexhaustible supply of 
woods of many valuable sorts, which offer commercial opportunities as 
soon as the islands are opened for development. Perhaps no commer- 
cial opportunity is better than the one that will be found in the 
forests. The woods range from the quick-growing palm to the hard 
V'Oods that require a century for their full development. Many are 



190 I^lLAND GEOGRAPnY, CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES. 

of remarkable beauty in color aud grain, taking a high polish and 
undergoing the heaviest strains or severest wear withont susceptible 
damage. The narra or Philippine mahogany is a beautiful wood, which 
grows to very great size. The banaba is hard, tough, and of a beau- 
tiful rose-pink color. There are many ebony trees of fine quality. The 
lanotan is often called ivory wood on account of the remarkable resem- 
blance it bears to ivory. 

A dozen others might be named, each with special (pialities which 
give it great value and each found in quantity sufficient to justify deal- 
ing in it as a business enterprise. Under the Spanish regime the im- 
mense natural wealth in timber has not brought one-tenth of the in- 
come to the colony that it would under better conditions of trade. 
Yet, notwithstanding red tape and costly governmental interference, the 
profii is so large that a steady trade is done by Manila and Iloilo with 
other parts of the world. 

Mineral Wealth of the Islands. 

Three objects of search stimulated the energy aud the cupidity 
of tho.se monarchs of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries who fostered 
the i'xploratiou of remote lands and seas. They wished to discover 
new races which might be converted to Christianity for their own 
gloi-y and the aggrandizement of the Church; they sought the islands 
that would produce rich spices aud silks iu order to pour the treasures 
of the Orient into their own coffers and their own kingdoms; further- 
more, they wanted to find gold and other precious metals Avhich tradi- 
tion always locates in the least known and least accessible countries. 

Less attention, however, has been given by Spanish explorers to 
the mineral wealth of the Philippine islands than to any other phase 
of their natural riches. The Spanish government throughout almost 
the entire period of its possession, has not only refused to examine and 
develop its own resources, but has actually discouraged every one else 
who has attempted to do what it declines to do itself. 

Gold has long been known to exist in the Philippines, and was 
mined by the natives long before the Spanish discovered them. They 
say that the yellow uwta] has been extracted from the rocks and the 
soil from time immemorial, and Ihey still continue to dig it in a hap- 
hazard wav, using the rudest and most wasteful methods. They know 



ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, COXDITIOXS AXD RESOURCES. 197 

nothing- of r.malganiatiou, nor do they uuder.stand the value of pyritic 
ores. They have neither powder nor dynamite, and work only rich 
quartz and alluvial deposits. For the latter they use washboards and 
ilat wooden moulds, losing all the float-gold. The gold-bearing quartz 
is crushed by hand or ground between hea^y stones turned by buffaloes 
and is then washed. The shafts are bailed by lines of workmen who 
pass small water-buckets from man to man. Even by these primitive 
methods, they obtain the precious metal in considerable quantities. 



Chinese Interests in the Mines. 

The gold of the Philippines was better known in the past than it is 
to-day. The Chinese books refer to the archipelago as a land of gold 
and many precious ores, and as a matter of fact one can learn more 
about the mineral resources of the country in Ilong Kong than in 
Manila. As early as 1572 there were mines in North Camarines, which 
lies to the southeast of Luzon, and in the same century the natives 
practiced quartz mining in northern Luzon. In 1620 an army officer 
found out that some half-caste Chinese were extracting large quantities 
of gold from mines in the provinces of Ilocos and Pangasinan, in north- 
ern Luzon. The Chinese were attacked and killed, but the victorious 
soldiers never found the mines. Within recent years gold deposits 
were found on the east coast of Mindanao, and the captain of a steamer 
trading in that neighborhood reported that the output of the washings 
was at least ten pounds a day and that nearly all of it went to Chinese 
traders. Even in Manila province the natives washed the sand in the 
river near Montalban and obtained enough gold dust to pay them for 
their trouble. The Sulu warriors bring gold dust and nuggets to Borneo 
and claim that there is an inexhaustible supply on their island and 
Basilan. 

Valuable deposits of gold have been found in several other islands 
of the group. There are old alluvial workings in Cebu, and Mindanao 
has rich gold-bearing quartz in addition to its placer mines. On 
Panaon there is known to be at least one vein of gold-bearing quartz. 
The name of Mindoro is said to be derived from mina de oro (gold mine), 
and natives often offer travelers in that island a chance to see places 
where rich deposits are found. 



198 ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, CONDITIONS AND EESOUECES. 



Foreign Capital Interested. 

yo serious aud systematic effort ever lias been made to develop 
tlie r,i-eat mineral wealth of the Philippines. There have been spas- 
modic attempts at different times, but they have almost invariably re- 
sulted in failure, OAviug to iusufBcient means of transportation, the dif- 
ficulty in securing labor, and especially to lack of capital. Within the 
last few years a British company called the Thilippiues Mineral Syndi- 
cate, Limited, has been conducting systematic explorations, and it is 
from their reports that the accompanying information has been 
taken. The operations of the syndicate have proved the alluvial 
deposits in Luzon to be extensive as well as rich, while the auriferous 
formation from which they have been derived is believed to extend 
throughout the "backbone" of the island. The mountain peoples nearly 
all traffic in gold. Many of the deposits on the Pacific slopes of Luzon 
are very near the sea, and it is fair to believe that if modern ma- 
chinery were introduced and transportation lines opened, the Philip- 
pines might become a great gold-producing center. 

Silver is found in the Philippines, though not to so wide an extent 
as "-old. There are very large deposits of silver lead at Acsubing, 
Panoypoy, and Riburan on the island of Cebn. There is galena, bearing 
both gold and silver, in Dapitau aud Iligan, in the island of Mindanao. 

Other Minerals Found in Abundance. 

True coal has not been discoA-ered in the Philippintvs, but very ex- 
tensive beds of excellent lignite have been found in Luzon, Cebu, Mas- 
bate Mindanao, Xegros, and Mindoro. Experimental tests have shown 
it to be a fairly satisfactory fuel for steamers, and nothing except the 
complete lack of suitable means of transportation prevents the develop- 
ment of these deposits. Although a large supply of coal has been 
maintained at Manila, which has been imported from Great Britain, 
Australia and Japan, the Spanish administration has preferred to pay 
ten or twelve dollars a ton for 25,000 tons every year rather than build 
a small railway on the island of Cebu from Compostella to the coast, 
which would <le]iver the lignite in unlimited amounts at a cost of not 




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EMILIO AGUINALDO 

This portrait was taken at the outbreak of the insurrection 
against Spain, when Aguinaldo was younger both in age and 
exjxjrience than he is to-day. 



ISLAND GEOGRAPHY, CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES. 201 

more than $1.50 a ton. It is hardly to be donbted that systemaiic ex- 
ploration would lead to the discovery of true coal. 

Copper ore occurs in Luzon and Mindanao in large outcrops and is 
utilized by the natives, but it has not been successfully mined by 
Europeans. In Mindanao there are also quicksilver, platinum and tin. 
Iron ore of excellent quality, yielding up to 85 per cent of pure metal, 
exists in Luzon, and other excellent iron districts are found elsewhere 
in the island. In the last century, iron mines were worked with great 
success in Morong, but were finallj' closed by the government on the 
ground that the workmen, who were Chinese, were not Christians. 
The luckless owner was obliged to send all these workmen to China at 
bis own expense, and the government refused to pay him for the iron^he 
had already delivered, on the ground that he had insulted the Church 
in employing pagans. The iron mines of Angap in Bulacan are richer 
and purer than the best Spanish ore, which is so popular in the iron 
foundries of England. 

Valuable Discoveries and Future Development. 

In different parts of the archipelago, large deposits of sulphur and 
arsenic are found, in the volcanic regions sometimes of the utmost 
purity and sometimes mixed with copper and iron. Explorers report 
valuable discoveries of slate, borax, plumbago, granite, coral rocks, 
sandstone and limestone. There are deposits of gypsum on a small 
island opposite the village of Culasi in western Panay and also Min- 
doro. Large beds of good marble are found both in Luzon and Kom- 
blon. Mines of natural paint, probably red lead, are found in Mindoro. 
Petroleum occurs in several of the islands, one of the best districts 
being in western Cebu near Toledo, where free flowing wells have been 
opened. 

Once American industry and enterprise obtain a foothold in the 
Philippines and enough discoveries are made to stimulate more active 
search, it seems reasonably certain that valuable mineral wealth will 
be found in commercial quantities. It has been the histoi-y of the 
world that the discoveiy of gold was the most influential factor possible 
in inducing rapid immigration, settlement and the development of civili- 
zation and all its kindred industries. California, Australia, South 
Africa and Alaska are the latest and most notable examples of this 
historical truth. 



CHAPTER XL 

MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE, 

The Walls of the Ancient City — Picturesque Parks and Public Grounds — • 
The Chinese and Their Work — Tragic Memories of the Luneta — 
Beauties of the Night — Amusements of the Natives — Italian Opera and 
American Circus — ^Spanish Bull Fights and English Horse Races — 
The Hotels of the City — Native Shops and Their Keepers — The Town 
of Cavite — Steamship Service of the Island. 

Like nearly all Oriental cities the ancient Manila was enclosed by a 
wall which gave it protection from attacks' of foes. The city outgrew 
this boundary many years ago, and the neglected fortifications haA'e 
long since ceased to be regarded as of any use. However effective they 
may have been in centuries gone by in protecting the people against 
invaders, they would be of no avail against modern military methods 
and implements of war. Fortunate it was for tlie Spaniards and equally 
fortunate for the tourist who is to come, that Admiral Dewey did not 
find it necessary to bombard the place on that August day when General 
Merritt's forces entered the city. 

On the northern side of the walled city the river serves as a moat 
and on the west the waters of Manila bay approach the walls. On 
the other two sides moats have been constructed which can be filled 
with water in the event of an attack. The last time they were em- 
ployed was in the war with Great Britain in 1762, when General Draper 
captured the citj-. The walls altogether encircling the city measure 
more than two miles in length and are from ten to twenty feet thick. 
Ancient cannon of picturesque pattern are mounted on top, some of 
them dating from the end of the thirteenth century. There are, how- 
ever, a few modern guns. 

The masonry of these fortifications has proved its worth. It has 
withstood the onset of many an assault in olden time, while the hun- 
dreds of earthquake shocks that have shaken it have done little damage. 
The moats hnve been the receptacle of stagnant water and refuse for 

SOS 



MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 203 

many a year and must have been a source of much of the fever which 
has oppressed the city. Within this wall were the Spanish forces who 
were surrendered by their commander to Dewey and Merritt when de- 
fense was no longer possible. 

The walled city has eight gates equipped with portcullis and draw- 
bridge after the medieval fashion, but for fifty years they have not been 
raised. Within the walls are found many of the government offices, 
a post-office and telegraph office, the old custom house, convents, col- 
leges, a cathedral, eleven churches, an observatoiy and an arsenal. 
Many shops and small stores are situated here. 

Picturesque Parks and Public Gardens. 

The old city of Manila offers picturesque sights for the tourist, but 
is not the one where he would choose to stay after he had exhausted 
the sights. In the "new" city outside the walls there are more cleanli 
ness, more fresh air, more modern buildings, and a number of very 
pretty parks and public gardens. This Is on the other side of the Pasig 
river from the walled city and is known as P>inondo, a great trading 
center, where all the foreign merchants have their places of business. 
Here m^ny of the streets are faiidy well paved and in some instances as 
wide as those we are accustomed to at home. Tlie retail shops are nearly 
all in the hands of Chinese merchants, many of them of great wealth 
and prominence. Their countrj'men of humbler station are seen on 
every street, performing much of the manual labor of the city. Cliinese 
coolies carry burdens, drive carts and do much of the heaviest work. 
Chinese tradesmen are the leaders in most of the mechanical industries 
and trades, this in spite of the fact that Chinese labor is supposed to 
be discountenanced by the people and the laws as they have existed 
under the Spanish rule. 

The great show places of Manila are the Santa Lucia and the 
Luneta. These drives run from the Pasig river, along the sea front of 
the walled city, and then out across the immense open parade ground 
which separates the walls of Manila from the suburbs of Ermita. They 
are practically one continuous road, but the mile that fronts the city- 
walls is called the Lucia and the broader oval park-like extension is the 
Luneta. Rows of waving, stubby palm trees mark the edges of the 
drives and electric-light poles line the borders throughout their entire 



204 MANILA AXl) LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 

length. In the old days these avenues were famous for their beauty 
and disphij. It is doubtful whether any other city in the Orient could 
rival them for brilliance and fashionable luxury. 

Tragic Memories of the Luneta. 

It is also doubtful whether another drive exists which is so grim 
in tragic memories as the beautiful Luneta. Hundreds of Filipinos 
have been executed there. In the mornings the crowds would thi-ong 
the drives to see the Filipinos shot and in the evening they would gather 
again to hear the music at the bandstand. But the war stopped all 
of that. The Luneta became neglected as the insurgents kept advanc- 
ing closer and closer to the borders of the city. The Spanish officials 
who had robbed and murdered to their hearts' content were afraid to 
venture out at night beyond the walls of the city for fear of being 
assassinated by natives who hungered for revenge. Strong barricades 
were built at the corner of the walled city just where the Lucia merges 
into the broader Luneta, and the Spaniards never ventured beyond that 
barricade of railroad iron and sacks of earth. When the Americans 
took the city it was days and days before the proud Spaniards would 
show themselves. 

In the evening when the sun is sinking behind the Mariveles moun- 
tains the wealth and fashion of Manila emerge from the gloomy streets 
of the walled city and show tliemselves on dress jjarade on the water 
front. Carriages roll up and down and back and forth through the short 
length of the Lucia. Rows of other vcdiicles are drawn up along the 
edges, the occupants smoking and lazily watching the passing show. 
Pretty women, bareheaded, and dressed in cool, refreshing white, look 
enchanting to one who has seen nothing but yellow and brown Malay 
girls all summer and whose experience in society has been confined to 
young, barefooted Philippine ladies who smoked cigars and wore gauze 
waists with rags reefed around them. 

Beauties of a Summer Night. 

The surf mils in long curling ridges, the palm trees wave in the fresh 
evening air, the shijis of the fleet lying out in tli(> bay twinkle with lights, 
and the Mariveles mountains and Corregidor away to the west fade into 



MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 205 

purple shadows. When the full moon comes out it lights up the domes 
and towers of the citj and spreads a radiance of white across the bosom 
of the bay. The air is full of the music of crickets and grasshoppers, 
and the fragrance of flowers steals out of the verdure along the drive. 

The Americans take little part in the showy display which comes 
each evening along the Santa Lucia. Occasionally a soldier in 
service-w'orn buff clatters along on a little Philippine horse, but there 
has been no general inclination to mix with the brilliant show on the 
avenue. Dr. Farrell, one of the surgeons of the 1st California, as- 
tounded the Spaniards by appearing on the Lucia driving a carriage 
four-in-hand. When it is considered that the Spanish laws here forbid 
any one besides the archbishop and the governor-general appearing 
behind a four-in-hand, the extent of the sensation that Dr. Farrell 
caused may be imagined. 

At 8 o'clock it is all over, for that is the dinner hour in Manila. 
The carriages gradually disappear within the somber sallyports of the 
old moss-covered walls. At 8:30 hardly one remains, and then the Lucia 
and Luneta are quiet. Only an occasional caromata rattles over the 
beautiful di'ive. 

Between the Luneta and the district of the city where the w^ork- 
ing classes live, the contrast is startling. The tilth of the latter is ap- 
palling and the houses are hovels crowded with human beings, animals 
and vermin. Here start the epidemics which are so fatal to the city 
population. 

Modern Improvements are Found. 

The public improvements of the citj- have not been as meager as 
might have been expected. There is an excellent system of waterworks 
and a fairly good fire department. Fortunateh' the comforts that are 
most essential are the least expensive, and consequently in reach of 
many people. Rents are very low; serA-ant hire is so cheap that one can 
have a retinue at the cost of a single house maid at home. Carriages and 
horses are likewise inexpensive, whether one keeps his own vehicles or 
hires them at his Avill. The equipages, however, are very queer in appear- 
ance measured by American standards, and the horses by no means 
equal to those Ave drive at home. 

The sports of Manila are materially different from those to which 
we are accustomed, for their favorites have been bull-fighting and 



206 MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 

cock-figbting. The bull ring of Manila, in the suburb of Pato, draws 
great crowds when the entertainment is offered, in spite of the fact 
that the performances are by no means spirited. Neither Spanish bull 
fighters nor Spanish bulls are brought to the island, so that native talent 
has to be obtained to phi}' both roles. The bulls are timid and lazy, the 
bull-fighters are little better, so that the traveler does not see bull- 
lighting of the same sort that he would in Spain, Cuba or Mexico. 

The Sports of the Natives. 

Cock-fighting, on the other hand, is maintained at as high a station 
as its rival is low. The clergy of the island have been among the best 
patrons of the sjKM't. They are successful breeders, skillful handlers 
and regular bettors. The galleries are always well patronized and on 
Sundays and feast days crowded to suffocation. 

Music and the drama are po])ular in some forms and in others are 
neglected. The three theaters of Manila give rather dull performances 
of comedies, farces and melodramas. When the city is visited by I'ea! 
dramatic companies from Hong Kong or by an Italian opera company, 
patronage is generous. Military music is specially favored by the peo- 
ple and some of it is of more than average (juality. The Filipinos have 
organized at least one notably fine band of ninety pieces. 

The most popular of all amusements brought by strangers to the 
city is the American circus. As is well known, e\('vy circus in the far 
East is called American in order to obtain the advertising which ac- 
companies the name. AVlien these organizations come to Manila from 
Hong Kong or Amoy, they are almost OA'erwhelmed by the warmth of 
their reception. No company plays a shorter season than three weeks, 
while some remain two and three times that long. 

Race "Week in Manila. 

Horse-racing in Manila is directed by the jockey club, which holds 
a week of races every year. The membership includes nearly all of tlie 
European and Anwrican colony, as it was constituttKl before the 
war. The club has a fine track and generous purses are awarded. The 
riding is done by gentlemen jockeys, there being no professionals in the 
country. The animals are very small, much nftei- the fasldon of Ameri- 



MANILA AND LUZON UNDEK SPANISH RULE. 207 

can polo ponies, but the races are popular and afford excellent sport for 
the social world. The club entertains liberally during the race week. 

The water front of Manila affords interesting and picturesque sights 
for the stranger. The anchorage is usually crowded with steamers 
and sailing vessels. In the river, huge cargo barges or lighters move 
slowly up stream conveying freight from the vessels in the harbor 
to the warehouses on shore. Along the banks of the river are the 
smaller steamers, schooners, and other craft from the island prov- 
inces, which are of sufficiently light draft to cross the bar and reach 
the docks. Then there are huge canoes, small dug-outs, ferry-boats 
for Cavite and places up the river, so that the scene is always a busy 
one. 

One of the oddest institutions encountered upon landing in Ma- 
nila is the Filipino public cab. There are three different styles. These 
three grades are employed by people according to their means, or 
tastes. 

The Carruage is a two-horse vehicle, and the elite people look upon 
it as the strictly proper thing to ride up the street in. The quells has 
two wheels, and has a body resting on its axle shaped like a dry goods 
box. A door opens from the back, and four passengers may crowd in- 
side. The driver has a little imitation of a seat in front, right over the 
shafts, with one little native scrubby pony toiling away with his load. 

The Hotels of the City. 

Thei-e are various hotels in Manila with varying degrees of excel- 
lence, although none satisfy an exacting American traveler who is un- 
willing to put up with Filipino customs. The best hotels in the city 
are the Hotel de FOrient and Hotel de TEurope, either of which will 
answer till something better is constructed. The others, however pre- 
tentious their names may be, such as Hotel de Madrid, Hotel de I'Uni- 
verse and La Catalanta, are of the next grade lower and hardly to be 
considered by the American traveler. 

It is very likely that even if the Philippines were not subject to 
earthquakes there would be no high buildings. For the most part the 
buildings are all constructed cheaply and of inexpensive materials. Of 
course, the fear of earthquakes has much to do with the kind of ma- 
terial used and the method of construction. The heavy tile roofs 



208 MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 

formerly much used aro seldom seen now. Corrugated iron is now used 
e.xtensively for rooling. It protects the house from the great deluges 
of rain that fall, and the earth's quaking will not shake this kind of a 
roof off. It has the great disadvantage, however, of attracting the heat 
duriTig the hot weather. The Filipinos usually have a side hut or two 
with thatched roofs and can move out from under the metal roof when 
necessary. 

Most of the streets of ilanila are wretchedly paved or not paved at 
all. They are iuadeciuately lighted, some by kei-osene lami)s and others 
even by wicks suspended iu dishes of cocoauut oil. There is, however, 
an electric light system, which will be extended rapidly. Diminutive 
street cars, each drawn by a single pony, run on two different lines 
into the suburbs. 

The native houses are lighted by shai)iug into little squares the 
beautiful and lustrous shells that abound in the I'hilippines. These are 
fastened into long narrow frames that extend all the way around the 
sides of the upper stories and often com])rise nearly all the wall. They 
are not fastened to the framework, however, but are arranged to slide 
back so that the entire room can be thrown open. The making of this 
substitute for windoAV glass is an extensive industry in the I'hilippines. 



The Natives Inveterate Gamblers. 

The Manila lottery was one of the notable institutions of the islands, 
the Spanish government formerly deriving from it an annual prolit of 
half a million dollars, the tickets being distributed not only through- 
out the archipelago, but in ITong Kong and along the China coast. The 
inborn gambling instinct of the Filipino is thus fostered and many a 
poor fellow sjieiids his last cent for lottcT'v tickets and then go(»s to 
jail fill' iinl jiayiiig liis luxes. 

Estimates of ihei)o])u]ati()n of .Manila have been va]-i(Ml and doubtful. 
The mo.st authentic information, however, places the total population 
at about ^00,000, of which natives number 200,000. The Chinese are 
credited with 10,000 of the remainder, the Chinese half-breeds 4.~,000, 
the S])anish and Spanish Creoles .",000, the Spani.sli half-castes about as 
many, and the Euro])eans and Americans other than Spanish about 100. 

Nearly all i>uroi)eaiis wear white duck suits over very thin under- 



MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 209 

wear. The Chinaman sticks to his national costnme, while the people 
of mixed blood almost invariably adopt the native dress, which (or 
men consists of hat, shirt, pantaloons and slippers. 

Civilians (Europeans and Americans) usiialh' Avear white duck suits, 
v.-hite duck shoes and very light underwear every mouth of the year. 

Like the native women themselves, their dress has been written 
about as being pretty. The women may look pretty in the selected 
costumes we see printed, but as we saw them every day about Manila 
they are, as a rule, the most unattractive women to be found any- 
where. It is true that their novel dress and appearance may make 
them interesting for a time, but their filthy tobacco and other repulsive 
habits make them anything but attractive. Their dress is decidedly trop- 
ical and consists of Camisa or waist, with great, bloomer-like sleeves. 
A fancy hand-stitched chemise, which the coarse-meshed Camisa does 
not hide, seems to have been made with a view to the fact that it is 
to be seen. A small silk wrap, not larger than a good-sized handker- 
chief, is brought around the neck, the ends forming a sort of bow over 
the breast. A big square piece of black cloth envelopes the lower part 
of the body to the kuees, and below it is revealed a skirt wdth all the 
colors of the rainbow. Their bare feet are placed on slippers that have 
a single strap over the foot holding them on. 

Attractive Native Women. 

Many of the Mestiza or half-caste women and girls are very attrac- 
tive, and, like the native women, they have beautiful hair, which not in- 
frequently reaches to their heels and of which they are inordinately 
proud. They also take pride in small feet, if they happen to possess 
them, and it is not at all unusual to see slippers which are quite too 
small for their owners and leave some of the toes dangling helpiessl,y 
outside. 

Coffee and fruit are served in the early morning. An exceedingly 
light breakfast is provided about S o'clock. Tiffin, which is a sub.stan- 
tial luncheon with several hot dishes, is taken at noon, and dinner is 
served at S o'clock in the evening. 

In deference to the earthquake and the typhoon, architecture in 
l\Ianila takes peculiar forms. The only high buildings are the churches, 
and these are built with very thick walls. The public buildings are 
heavy and gloomy. In the business quarter the houses are of two 



210 ^LVNILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 

stones with enormously thick walls and partitions. The Malay bunga- 
lows in the suburbs are one-storj', supported with tiles or stone founda- 
tions and covered with thatch. In the Chinese quarter the buildings are 
chiefly one-story and where two-storied have the lower one of gi'eat 
soliditj' and the upper one so light as to be almost fragile. 

Another enemy of houses never to be ignored is the white ant. 
This energetic creature, as well as two or three of his allies, is so vo- 
racious that the wooden beams and floors of houses frequentlj' must 
be renewed after their attacks. Every effort has been made by the 
people to aA'ert the ravages of the ants; they have tried varnishing the 
woods and painting them with poisonous compounds, on all of which 
the ants seem to thrive. There are some woods which are less subject 
to the xipst than others, but none is entirely exempt. 

Arrangement of the Bwellings. 

Houses follow the example of those in Spain and the Spanish- 
American countries for their interior arrangement. Almost always 
the dwelling is built around an open quadrangle or else there is a drive- 
way' through the house with a courtyard in the interior or at the rear 
of the building. Sometimes the house sits back from the sti*eet, se- 
cluded by a high wall. Rooms, halls, can-iageway and courtyard are 
smoothly paved with blocks of stone brought from quarries in China. 
The walls are covered with whitewash and stone stairways lead to the 
second floor, where the choicer living apartments always are found. 
Windows iind doors are left open as much as possible and refreshing 
breezes moderate the heat of nearly all seasons. It requires no exer- 
tion on the pai't of a householder to make his home beautiful. Natun* 
will do it all. Mosses, vines and flowers cover every wall, and trees 
sprout everywhere, all Avilh blossoms and blazes of color in every place, 
exjjected and unexpected. 

Stocks of goods kept by the merchants of Manila are small, because 
of the excessive and indiscriminate taxation which was applied under 
the Spanish regime. The dealer made as little displaj- as possible, in 
order to avoid the appearance of wealth and consequent taxation. IIow- 
Gver, the stocks of goods are now fiurly well selected and anything 
ordered can be obtained ])romptly from the lionded warehouses. Cloth- 
ing for men and women alike is made to order in less time than any 



MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 211 

where else on earth, and the goods themselves are brought to the home 
of the customer for selection instead of requiring a shopping expedition. 

Native Merchants and Their Wares. 

Silver and gold jewelry, made by native workmen and sold in 
the stores of Manila, is peculiarly interesting and attractive. Basket- 
work of all sorts and fancy matting are other offerings of the shops 
of peculiar interest to strangers. Confections of guava and other 
fruits prepared with native sugar, appeal to those fond of sweet- 
meats. Chinese stores offer fans of all sorts from the highest to the 
loT\'est price. Parasols and umbrellas, which are required by every- 
one, whether in dry or rainy seasons, form a large part of the wares 
of the shopkeepers. Altogether, the stranger in Manila may find 
plenty of novelties to buy for souvenirs of his journey, characteristic 
of the country and exceedingly interesting to the people at home. 

One of the most interesting spots of Manila is the old Paco ceme- 
tery, with its massive walls suggestive rather of a defense for the Hy- 
ing than of a last refuge for the dead. The cemetery is in a circular 
space inclosed by a huge wall of masonry eight or nine feet thick and 
ten feet high. The only entrance' is through a gate of iron and wood 
of great strength, which still further adds to the appearance of fortifi- 
cation. Within this circular wall is a second wall built in the same 
manner, presenting a solid front to the exterior. The interior is a 
honeycomb of crypts in which the coffins of the dead are placed, the 
entrance being sealed by small ornamental tablets of stone bearing 
the names of the dead. In many of the crypts there is a double door, 
the outer one being of glass, through which quaint images of the 
Virgin and the infant Christ or some other decoration such as rudely 
fashioned artificial flowers are seen. Each crypt rents for about $35 
yearly — a small fortune for these people — and when the inmate is for- 
gotten or the relatives become impoverished or for any reason this 
rental is unpaid the remains are immediately swept from the tomb and 
cast into a common receptacle for all like unfortunates. 

The Town of Cavite. 

Just southwest of the province of Manila lies the province of Cavite, 
which is one of the most important on the island of Luzon. At the 



212 MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 

noilhorn end of the province the land runs out into Manila bay in a 
lonp; peninsula, which in turn divides into two smaller ones pointing 
toward the mainland. This is the site of the city of Cavite, which, be- 
sides beinj;- the cai)ital of the province, also has been the northern naval 
station of the riiilipjiine government. Here was the scene of the de- 
struction t)f the Spanish fleet by the American squadron under Ad- 
miral Dewey. The city of Cavite is about eight miles and a half from 
Manila, measuring in a straight line across the bay, and is connected 
with the capital by frequent ferryboats. 

In Luzon are river and lake sj'stems second only to those of Min- 
danao. The Kio Grande de Cagayan, which rises near the center of 
the island, flows into the ocean at the northern extremity and di'ains 
an immense area of great fertility. Here is grown the best tobacco 
raised in the archipelago. The river is navigable for some distance, 
although the bar at the mouth obstructs the entrance for steamers of 
more than ten feet draft. The Pantanga, river also rises in South Cara- 
ballo mountain but flows in the oi)posite direction, emptying into Manila 
bay by a delta with more than twenty mouths. The low ground along 
its banks is extensively cultivated and produces good crops of rice 
and sugai" cane. 

Water Courses of Luzon. 

A few miles back of and east from Manila bay, with the city and its 
suburbs extending almost to it, is a fresh-water lake almost as large as 
the bay itself. This is Laguna de Bay. There are twenty-five miles in 
its extreme length and over twenty at its widest point. The Kiver Pasig 
connects this lake with the bay and all sorts of native craft, such as 
cascoes, flat-bottomed steamers and small gunboats navigate the river 
and lake. Lake Bombou, half the size of Laguna de Bay, is the fresh- 
watei" lake mentioned in a previous rliapter as surrounding tlie active 
volcano Taal. 

Luzon includes among her wondcnful resources gold, coal and other 
minerals. The sugar production of Luzon e.xceeds that of all the other 
islamls combined, and her wonderfully itroductive soil gives up a great 
wealth of hemp, coffee, rice, cocoa, tobacco and fruits and vegetables 
each year. 

Lxizon is the most jnqtulnus island nf all llic riiili])pine archi|)elago, 
some estimates as to (he uuinhcrs of its inhabitants running as high as' 



MANILA AND LUZON UNDER SPANISH RULE. 213 

5,000,000. The most important of the uumerous tribes into wliioli the 
people are divided are the Tagalogs and the Ilocauos. Both are civil- 
ized and as a rule orderly, although brigandage is not uncommon in 
the Tagalog territory. It is from this tribe that the greater part of 
Aguinaldo's support in the insurrection of the Filipinos has been drawn. 
In a later chapter on the people of the Philippines, more detailed infor- 
mation will be included on the races inhabiting this island. 

Luzon is the most populous island of all the Philippine archipelago, 
some estimates as to the numbers of its inhabitants running as high as 
5,000,000. The most important of the numerous tribes into which the 
people are divided are the Tagalogs and the Ilocanos. Both are civil- 
ized and as a rule orderly, although brigandage is not uncommon in 
the Tagalog territory. It is from this tribe that the greater part of 
Aguinaldo's supijort in the insurrection of the Filipinos has been drawn. 
In a later chapter on the people of the Philippines, more detailed in- 
formation will be included on the races inhabiting this island. 

The absence of proper railway facilities is not as great a handicap in 
the Philippines as it might be in some other countries, for the remark- 
ably irregular coast-line and tfie extended interior water systems en- 
able the traveler to reach the greater part of the archipelago by boat. 
There are little, light-draft steamboats which go almost everywhere 
and which charge very low fares, w^hile upon every navigable stream, 
lake and bay ai-e small boats which can be hired for an insignificant 
sum. 

Steamship Service of the Island. 



A steamer runs from Manila northward along the west coast of 
Luzon nearly to Cape Bojeador. At any one of several ports the 
traveler who is willing to undergo discomfort may begin an excursion 
into the interior of the island, where scenery of gi'eat beauty will 
be found and native manners and customs may be studied in their most 
primitive condition. There is very little danger to the traveler in the 
extreme north along the coast, for the natives are hospitable to the 
limit of their means and quite docile. The country is little cultivated 
by civilized methods except in the more accessible portions. 



CHAPTER Xn. 
THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 

The Visayau Archipelafio — On an Island Steamer- — A Typical Spanish Town 
— A Fort Witliout a Gun — Yellow Journalism in the Philippines — 
Beautiful Women Who Smoke — Cebu and Its Commercial Import- 
ance — The Island ot' Panay — The Sulu Sea and Its Boundaries — Prim- 
itive Modes of Life in Palawan — Among the Savage Tribes. 

Second to Manila in commercial importance and population is the 
city of Iloilo, which is situated on the island of Panay. Panay is one 
of that group of islands lying north of the gi'eat island of Mindanao 
and south of the eastern portion of Luzon, knoAvn as the Visayan 
archipelago. Other important islands of the group are Guimaras, 
Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Samar and Leyte. 

Iloilo came into familiarity because of its importance in the Spanish- 
insurgent complications. After the cai)fure of Manila by the American 
forces, Iloilo was the seat of Spanish government in the Philippines. It 
was then surrounded by the insurgents, who besieged the city until the 
Spanish commander surrendered to them. This situation was a con- 
siderable puzzle to the American authorities in the island. It placed the 
insurgent forces in possession of the second city in the archipelago, with 
an ample supply of arms and ammunition. They proceeded to organize 
a government of their own, quite distinct from that of which Aguinaldo 
was the head, announcing it as the Visayan republic. When American 
troops were hurried to Iloilo from Manila, 300 miles away, they were 
forbidden the jjrivilege of landing and the situation became more than 
critical. Tliis was at the time the ratification of the treaty of peace wnth 
Spain was under discussion in the Ignited States Senate and the state of 
affairs at Iloilo was brought into ])articular prominence. There was a 
general sentiment of reluctance throughout the country to see American 
arms turned against an insurgent body who had expelled their enemies 
from the second stronghold of the island, and were standing u\um their 
rights as victors over the Spanish to demand consideration and inde- 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF TUE ARCHIPELAGO. 215 

pendence. Let Mr. McCiitcheon, the artist con-espondent, describe his 
interesting journey from Manila to Iloilo, made last September, when 
conditions were strained but before the insurgents had talven the city. 

On An Island Steamer. 

"The trip between the two cities is one of the most charming ex- 
periences that a traveler could ever hope for. Some day, when the army 
of tourists invades the Philippines and the red guidebook and the 
personally conducted tour become established features, there will be 
pages and pages in the steamship j)rospectuses devoted to it. The island 
sea of Japan, the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence, the castle- 
capped peaks of the Rhine and the beautiful Golden Horn of Turkey 
will have a new rival. During the forty hours that it takes one of the 
small steamers of the Companla Maritima to make the run, the sight 
of land is never lost, and the scene is constantly shifting, and is always 
new and wonderful. The vessel passes by dozens of islands, every one 
of which is glorious in the richness of its foliage, the splendor of its 
mountain sides or the dazzling whiteness of its long stretch of sandy 
beach. Sometimes you are in a narrow channel, with great uplifts of 
brilliant green rising on either hand; then you are carried into an open 
sea, with only the blue hills of distant islands breaking the serene 
horizon or clusters of waving palm trees or some lonely coral atoll 
swimming on the skyline like a mirage on the desert. On one side may 
be the lofty purple heights of an island mountain range, standing out 
against the angry, ominous blackness of the storm clouds which seem 
to be everlastingly rioting in imposing tumult around the crests; on 
the other side may be gleaming strips of beach, with tangles of trop- 
ical verdure lining them; then long, easy slopes of rich, brilliant moun- 
tain sides fading away to a jagged skyline of distant blue. There are 
several volcanoes that are active, and may be marked by the hazy 
smoke that lifts lazily against the clouds. 

"Just now there are wvj few vessels venturing on the run, for the 
Compania Maritima, which is a Spanish concern, has only two of its 
vessels put under the American flag, and those that carry the Span- 
ish flag are afraid to venture out of Manila or Iloilo for fear of the 
insurgent steamers that lie in hiding among the coves of the archi- 
pelago waiting to dash out and seize any floating thing that shows the 
red and yellow at its peak. 



216 THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 

"In coiuiiany with three otlier oorrespoudents, I started for Hoilo 
several days ago. Up to this tiuie no America u had made tlie trip 
siuee peace was declared, and we had a good deal of curiosity to know 
how wo would be received. The officers of the Buluau, one of the 
Spanish steamers recently placed under our flag as an insurance 
against insurgent attack, looked on us with considei'able suspicion, for 
they were all Spanish and in wholesome fear of the governor-general 
now at Iloilo. 

"Mr. Balfour, a young Scotchman and manager of the Iloilo 
branch of the llong Kong and Shanghai bank, was the only other pas- 
senger on board who spoke English. As the vessel reached the island 
of Panay and steamed along down the coast he pointed out the posi- 
tions held by the insurgents. When she reached Concepcion, the ])lace 
of the farthest advance of the revolutionary forces, the Spaniards 
looked with anxious eagerness at the distant shore line and the word 
'insurrecto' occurred with much frequency. It was noticed, too, that 
with Mr. Balfour there was a disposition to conduct all references to 
the present operations on the island in a decided undertone. 

A Typical Spanish Town. 

"Iloilo was reached in the middle of the afternoon. It is a typical 
troi)ical Spanish town, situated on a flat, sandy point of land which 
juts out into the strait. Guimaras island lies two miles to the east- 
ward, and beyond it were the volcanic mountains of Negros island. 
A number of Spani-sh vessels were lying in the harbor and a greater 
number could be seen in the river. A small boat came out of the river 
and approached the Buluan. As she stopped alongside, the pilot came 
aboard and made i)re])arations to take the vessel into the river, but 
when he found tiiat there were Americans on board he proceeded im- 
mediately back to the town. There was a long wait, and then we 
realized that an obstacle had evidently reared its horrid front and 
that an objection ha<l been advanced regarding our landing. The 
Spaniards on board, who were delayed in landing, regarded us with 
pronounced disfavor. The captain then came to us and through Mr. 
Balfour informed us that we would have to produce passports and 
ollicial credentials from General Otis. As we had none, and, in fact, 
had never even thought that there might be a necessity for such things, 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 219 

we began to entertain the prospect of being compelled to go back 
to Manila without landing. 

"A steam lannch finally came out of the river and bore down on the 
Buluan. Presently a Spanish officer came aboard, and a long and 
earnest conversation was held between him and the captain. After 
some minutes we were informed by Mr. Balfour that it would be neces- 
sary for us to get permission from the governor-general allowing us to 
land. He kindly volunteered to see the British consul and endeavor 
to obtain that permission. The launch then steamed back to the city 
with him on board, and it was noticed with some interest that armed 
carabinieros were left on the ship, two posted at each gangway. There 
was a terrific wait. At nearly 6 o'clock the vessel got permission to 
proceed, and about 6:30 she drew up at the wharf in Iloilo river. We 
wei*e then informed that we would be permitted to land and that 
the governor-general wished to see us at once. We were allowed to 
land our small luggage, and through the courtesy of the port officials 
it was not examined. 

An Interview with the Governor-General. 

"Our cards were at once sent to the governor and we were asked to 
come to him early in the morning. There were no hotels in town, but the 
English residents took us in with a kindness and hospitality that over- 
whelmed us. Early the following morning a small delegation of Amer- 
icans was ushered into the presence of Governor-General Rios at the 
official palace. The general is a large man of imposing military pres- 
ence, and was courteous in the extreme. It was explained through an 
interpreter that the visitors were American newspaper representatives, 
who were charmed with the beauty of the islands, and who wished 
before returning to America to make a trip among the southern islands. 
The general volunteered every courtesy and offered letters of intro- 
duction to various governors in Mindanao and the Sulu group, but he 
explained that steamers were running veiy irregularly, and that he 
did not want us to venture into the interior, out of rt^gard for our per- 
sonal safety. 

A Defenseless City. 

"Conditions in Iloilo were critical. The inhabitants were almost 
terror-stricken, for the insurgents were expected to attack within two 



•220 THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELA(tO. 

(lays. The towu was almost defenseless. An old fort, -niiich was 
ancient a hundred years ago, commanded the harbor, but it spent all 
its time commanding, for there were no guns mounted in it. A line of 
stone breastworks extended along the beaches around the town, but 
they were ridiculous as i)rotection against any force excepting infantry 
forces, which might attack by swimming across. The river was choked 
with Spanish steamers that were afraid to venture out under the Span- 
ish flag. A few troops were scattered through the town, but they 
were so few and badly organized that they only served to emphasize 
the fact that the city was practically defenseless. Big bodies of in- 
surgents were known to be advancing from the north and west, and a 
titanic effort Avas being made to collect troops sufficient to stop their ad- 
vances. There were three Spanish gunboats in the river, the Samar, 
Mindow and El Cano. The two first named were small and of the same 
size as the Callao, but the last was much larger. Her engines were in 
bad order and it was common gossip that if her heaviest guns were 
fired the shock would shake the ship to pieces. 

"The day after our visit to the governor a transport arrived from 
Paragua having luO troops. It was learned that General Kios was con- 
centrating all the Si)anish forces of the other islands on Pauay, in the 
hope of preventing the fall of the city before the conclusion of the 
Paris conference. During the following three days other transjiorls 
arrived with troops, which were at once sent off to a secret destination. 
The inhabitants were given to under.stand that the troops were being 
sent to relieve other garrisons, but it was found that thej^ in reality 
were being dispatched to Antigue on the west coast, where the insur- 
gents were advancing. 

Waiting for the Blue Jackets. 

"The English residents of Iloilo were eagerly hoping for the arrival 
of American warships, feeling that the presence of an American force 
would prevent the outbreak and massacre that otherwise would surely 
result. The business interests are all hopeful that the Americans will 
retain the islands, for they feel that no peace can be expected as long 
as the Spaniards remain in Iloilo. 

"The three large towns of the island of Panay are Iloilo, Molo and 
Jaro, all nf which are hunched together down at the southeastern cor- 



THE CENTEAL ISLANDS OP THE ARCHIPELAGO. 221 

ner. The tirst named is the big commercial center, where all the Euro- 
peans live, and it ranks even as great as Manila in the extent of some 
of its shipping. Along the river and the quay there are immense go- 
downs filled with hemp, sugar and copra, and in time of peace there are 
lines of steamers and sailing schooners constantly running between the 
town and the great sugar and hemp districts of Negros, Mindanao, 
Leyte and the coasts of the island of Panay itself. Just now there are 
only occasional steamers plying back and forth, and these fly some 
flag other than the Spanish flag. 

"The town of Iloilo is not especially interesting, the most attractive 
thing about it being that it is a little cooler than Manila. The official 
residence of the present governor-general of the Philippines overlooks 
the plaza and is not particularly imposing. On the other side of the 
plaza are the cathedral and the big building occupied by the priests. 
The chief business houses are all on the Calle Real, or chief street of 
the town, and with only two exceptions are owned by Englishmen or 
Chinese. The Spanish population is usually connected with the gov- 
ernment or army in some way, or else work for the English. There are 
three neAvspapers — the Porvenir de Bisayas, the Eco de Panay and the 
Heraldo. The Porvenir is the only one that is reputable and fairly 
trustworthy. The Eco is bitter in the most malignant form. On the 
day we arrived in Iloilo it printed an article stating that the American 
soldiers in Manila were bloodthirsty and were killing natives and tor- 
turing them with all kinds of barbarity. This has been the kind of 
news it has printed since the war began. 

Native Impressions Concerning Americans. 

"Among many of the natives of Iloilo there is an established belief 
that the Americans are Indians with long hair and an abnormal thirst 
for blood. This impression has existed because most of the natives have 
never seen an American. As a natural consequence of this the members 
of our party were objects of a good deal of concern and curiosity. In 
other words, from the time we heard what Americans were supposed to 
be in the eyes of the natives we felt that we were a sort of 'exhibit A,' and 
our object in life was to live down the reputation of our countrymen and 
show what nice people Americans really are. Mr. Davis and Mr. Bass 
are not particularly ferocious looking, and I have some hope that his- 



222 THE CENTRAL ISLANDfc? OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 

tory will not record uie as one who lOves slaughter and gloats over the 
massacre of innocents. These i:)ersonal confessions may be excused as 
having a definite bearing on the story. Therefore, in the history of the 
world there were probably never before three individuals who so com- 
pletely embodied all the essentials of peacefulness, good behavior and 
high and loftj' conduct as we did while on exhibition during our mission 
of enlightenment. 

"There are two banks in Iloilo, the Hong Kong and Shanghai bank 
and the Banco Filipino Espanol. The former is of course a branch of 
the great oriental bank of the same name and is almost as strong as 
the Bank of England. It is a silver bank, however, all its operations 
being conducted on that basis. Mr. C. H. Balfour, the manager, a 
first cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson, was once stationed in New 
York city for six months in the interests of the bank. 

A Clash with the Authorities. 

"Mr. Balfiiur had just brought down from Manila l.lOjOOO Mexican 
dollars on the Buluau. The Spanish authorities examined this sliip- 
ment very closely. For several j-ears there has bcnm a law prohibiting 
the circulation of Mexican dollars of a later date fluin 1877, and as 
among the present shipment were some of a later date for awhile there 
was great danger that the shipment would be confiscated by the au- 
thorities. After some discussion, supported by the high standing of 
Ml". Balfour with the Spaniards, the shipment was released and sent 
back to Manila. 

"There is an English club with a membership of about twenty-live, 
four or five of whom are Germans, six or eight English and the rest 
Scotch. Xearly all the Britons in Iloilo happen to be Scotch. Only one 
cafC' of any pretensions could be found, and that is purely a Spanish 
caf(?, where dashing Castilian oflficers sit ten oi- twelve hours a day tell- 
ing how Sagasta ought to have run things. 

"About five miles out from Iloilo is Jaro, but it isn't pronounced 
that way. It sounds as if it were spelled Harrow, and for the first day 
or two I thought people were talking about the English preparatory 
school. The road out is beautiful with tropical splendor, but the bridge 
is broken down an<l one has a good walk in the blazing sunshine before 
one reaches Jaro. And after a short residence in Iloilo a porsoa ac<\"ure8 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 223 

a wholesome fear of the midday sim. The local foreign residents were 
earnest in their warnings against exposure to the sun, and about the 
first thing that is done when down there is to buy a lai'ge sun hat which 
closely resembles a Hindu pagoda. 

The Market Place in Jaro. 

"There was the regular Thursday market on in Jaro when we 
reached the town. A district five or six acres in extent was laid out in 
irregular lanes of small shelter houses and several hundred natives were 
thronging up and down these lanes, bargaining ''and smoking tre- 
mendous 'cigarros.' The heat was intense, but in spite of the discom- 
fort of it the experience was one of the most enjoyable and wonderful we 
had ever been through. Certain sections were devoted entirely to cloth 
goods, others to hemp ready to be woven into the cloth, others to fish 
markets, milk, food supplies, baskets, tobacco and dozens of other native 
commodities. The people were extremely picturesque, and many of 
the young girls were very beautiful. It was strange to see how general 
it was for the women to smoke and to see to what gigantic cigars their 
fancy ran. The cigars were manufactured as occasion demanded, a roll 
of tobacco being wound about with a string, and the result was that 
the extemporized cigar looked like a long, ragged torch. 

"The market lasted all during the foi*enoon and then the throng be- 
gan to dwindle away. The long rows of bull carts and caromatas scat- 
tered all through the country, and at 1 o'clock the scene of our financial 
conquests was quiet, and sleepy and the thatched palm roofs of the nipa 
shelters slumbered in the deadly heat of the midday sun. 

"Molo — which, strange as it may seem, is pronounced as it is spelled 
— ^lies off from Iloilo in another direction. This is where the mestizos, 
or half-castes, live. Chinese who have married Indian girls make Molo 
their home. It is, like Jaro, a large settlement, and a great number of 
wealthy Chinese have built it up to quite a respectable and substantial 
appearance. There are a number of factories there where different 
native fabrics are woven, but the Philippine idea of a factoiy is not 
ours. Three or four looms are in a residence, and the women members 
of the household go out and weave a piece of cloth whenever the mood 
possesses them. A purchaser desiring a cloth of a particular color can 
have it made according to his own design. It takes some time, because 



221 THE CEXTKAL ISLANDS OP THE AKCHIPELAGO. 

in tliis iiiaiuuia land the natives nevor believe in ddiiig anything to- 
morrow that can be put oil' until day after to-morrow." 

An Important Commercial City. 

Cebu is now the third commereial cily uf I in- riiilijipines and the 
»-ai)ital of the island bearing the same name. A line of steamers runs 
from Iloilo to Cebu in about twenty hours, while a more pretentious 
line runs from Manila to Cebu dii'ect. For many years this citj' ranked 
next to Manila in commercial importance, but Iloilo finally passed it in 
the race and now stands second. However, until the recent insurrec- 
tion disturbed all commerce and agriculture, it was still the sliii)i(ing 
center for much of the hemp raised in the Visayan islands. The pojni- 
lation is about 10,000 and the foreign community consists only of 
agencies of two English, one German and three Spanish business houses. 
One man holds all the foreign consulates and the business houses rep- 
resent all the insurance companies and banks as well. 

Like St. Augustine and Santa Fe to the United States, in their be- 
ing the first settled i)laces by the Spaniards, so is Cebu to the Philip- 
pines. In 1565 and for si.x years after that it was the colony's seat of 
government. 

In 1759 the town ceased to have a nnniicii)al government, because 
there were not enough Sjianiards to fonn one. The Mayor of that year 
was impeached for his brutality and extortion committed against inno- 
cent Chinamen. It was only ten years ago, after having been without a 
municipal government for 130 years, that it was restored. 

The islands of the Visayan group are more than varied in their 
characteristics of soil, climate and products. They are near enough one 
another that uavigatiim for small boats is easv and frequent, even 
though some of the chainicls between I lie islands are rough. 

The Island of Panay. 

Pauay is one of the most important and fci lile islands of the group. 
It has seen a more reckless waste of its timber than any of the other 
islands. Around the old settled portions near the coast are extensive 
swam])s and cogonoles and crop-growing fields, the latter to soon become 
cog(»noles, that have been ruthlessly stripped of all ti-ees. It is as true 
with the savage tribes here as with our Indians that they disappear with 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE AECHIPELAGO. 225 

the beginning of development. Tliey eitlier go to the untouched wood- 
lands of the mountains or become extinct altogether. Pauay, like 
nearly all the principal islands, still has plenty of wild men prowling in 
the remote places back in the provinces. Alcohol is made in quite an 
extensive way considering the primitive method of manufacture on the 
island of Panay, particularly in the vicinity of Capiz. It is made from 
the juice of the nipa palm blossom-stalk, which is cutoff and the flowing 
sap caught in large receptacles or buckets to ferment and after a time be 
distilled. It is an expensive process, but the product is of an excellent 
(|uality. It produces an alcohol of the highest grade. 

Although Cebu is the third city of commercial importance in the 
islands, there are other native cities of lai'ger population which are im- 
])ortant market towns for agricultural products. Capiz, for instance, 
on the northeast coast of Panay, has a population of more than 25,000, 
with a Spanish colony of nearly 100. 

Panay is one of the few islands Avithout valuable mineral deposits. 
The soil is varying in its qualities of fertility, but generally is very rich. 
Sugar is raised extensively and some fair-sized plantations are operated. 
Cebu and Capiz are the chief towns, the former being the third city in 
the islands. Twentj'-five thousand is the population of Capiz. 

The Most Fertile Island. 

Lying alongside Panay and to its southeast is without doubt the 
most fertile island, its size considered, of any of them. A large percent- 
age of its population are also more peace-loving than the natives in most 
of the islands. They have given the United States authoi'ities compara- 
tively less trouble than in any other thickly populated island. I refer 
(o the island of Negros. It is noted for the fine quality of its tobacco. 
Sugar, however, is the chief product and this has been so successful that 
in recent years the planters have been enabled to equip their planta- 
tions with fairly modern machinery. 

The principal towns of Negros are Bais, Dumaguete and Bacalod. 

The most southerly island of the Visayan group, except the southern 
extremity of Negros itself, is Siquijor, which lies some fifteen miles to 
the southeast of Dumaguete. One town is named the same as the name 
of the island and another is called San Antonio, the former on the sea- 
shore and the latter on the highest ground in the hills. Like most of 
the limestone islands of the Philippines, Siquijor is quite free from 



226 THE CENTRAL I?;LANI)S OF THE AKCniPELAGO. 

malaria. Inasmuch as it. produces a largo quantity of oxcollont food 
l)roducts and the people are notable in the Philippines for their indus- 
try, it is a somewhat desirable place for a short visit. 

The island of Cebu lies directly east of Negros. The city, which 
is the capital of the island, has been a bishop's see, as well as the resi- 
dence of the governor and a general of brigade commanding the gover- 
nors of all the Visayan islands. 

A Healthful Climate. 

With the exception of the brigands, which infest the interior coun- 
try, which is a succession of abrupt hills, the island of Cebu is populated 
with natives famous throughout the islands for their genuine hos]ti- 
tality, their happ3' home lives and their orderly conduct. The climate 
of Cebu is superior and healthful; the soil does not have gi'eat depth, 
as a rule, but has a lime sub-soil. When cultivated, limestone rocks or 
boulders are often to be contended with. 

Samar, also of the Visayan group, is the third island in size of all 
the Philippines. Catbalogan is the seat of government. It has a good 
harbor and its business is considerable. Commercially it is a town of 
hemp and the hemp-buyers who travel beyond Manila all visit Catbalo- 
gan. Curing and baling the hemp affords employment to many of the 
natives of the town. It is diflicult for travelers to obtain i)ro])er food 
in the town, for the ordinary articles, except fish and fresh milk, are 
scarce and high-priced. Several small rivers seam the low hills and 
"have rich valleys. There are no mountains. Some of the rivers are 
navigable. The natural drainage is excellent and the climate is charm- 
ing and healthful. 

The Island of Palawan. 

Far to the southward of l>uzon lies the Sulu sea, forming a great 
diamond-shaped body of water, of which the angles virtuall.y coincide 
with the ]ioints <if the (•oin])ass. Th.e southwestern side of the figure 
is bounded by Hritish North Borneo; the southeastern by the Sulu 
archipelago, where the ]\Ioros have their stronghold, and by the island 
(if .Alindanao, second in size of the P]iili]>])ines; the northeast by Xegros, 
Paiiay and Mindoro; and the northwestern by the island of Palawan 
and its neighbors. 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 227 

This latter island, the fifth in size of all the Philippines, with the 
smaller ones adjoining it to the north and south, forms one of the 
greater divisions of the whole archipelago, known by the Spaniards 
under the name of Islas Adjacentes. Palawan is the native name for 
the island and the one whieh is considered geographically con-ect, 
although the Spaniards long have dubbed it Paragua. The other 
islands properly included in the same general division are Busuanga, 
Calamianes, Culion, Nengalao, Linapacan, Cuyo and Dumarau in the 
northeast, and Balabac in the southAvest. 

The traveler for the Islas Adjacentes sails from Jlanila on one of 
the inter-island steamboats, which carry the mail, passengers and 
freight throughout the archipelago. The first stop in the journey 
usually is at the Calamianes islands. The same name is applied to one 
of the provinces, which includes the numerous islands lying between 
Palawan, Mindoro and Panay. Cuyo is the capital of the same province 
and the second port of the journey. Here, strangely enough, the popu- 
lation is composed almost altogether of women, who consequently 
monopolize all the trade. They come ofT to the passenger steamers with 
fruit, provisions and curios and a man is seldom seen by the traveler. 

A Prosperous Town. 

Palawan is one of the least known and least settled islands of the 
Philippine archipelago, of which, except for some little neighbors to 
the southward, it is the westernmost. The island is nearly 300 miles 
in length, its breadth ranging from six to thirty-five miles, with an. 
average of twenty miles. The capital is Puerto Princessa, which is 
situated on the^ eastern side about midway between the northern and 
southern extremities. 

Spain secured Palawan from the Sultan of Borneo by conquest and 
finally by treaty. A garrison was then established to protect the Span- 
iards who had settled in the north. There was great danger from the 
war-like Moros. After being maintained for a few years, it was left 
without the necessary supplies and was finally abandoned after many 
of the troops had perished miserably of hunger and want. A few years 
later the sultan gave the island to the Spanish. Troops were sent under 
a captain to take formal possession. All of them died ultimately, some 
from eating rotten food and others in war with the iloros. Still later 
a third garrison was established at Tay Tay. At first a little settlement 



22S THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 

grew up around it, Miiich ultiniatoly sharfd tbo fate of its predecessor. 
After centuries of effort to settle the island and protect the settlers, 
a renewed atteuii)t was made on the part of the Spanish authorities. 

Efforts to Colonize an Island. 

The IMadrid government in 18S5 issued a royal order establishing 
military posts in Palawan to protect the people already there and to 
encourage emigration. All Spaniards or others who were willing to 
move there were transported at the expense of the government, would 
be exempt from taxation for six years, and were assisted with agri- 
cultural implemeuts and seeds. Even these liberal inducements did 
not settle and develop Palawan, which the Spanish government so much 
desired. A new plan was then adopted. Each of certain thickly popu- 
lated provinces were to furnish twenty-five volunteer families, who were 
to have their debts to the government cancelled and free transportation 
in consideration of their taking up their residence there. Besides, each 
family was to be given a few acres of land and heli)ed for several 
months. In addition the government was to build highways and estab- 
lish free ports. All these glowing promises were ne^'er materialized 
into anything beyond the establishment of some small military posts. 
No emigrants arrived, and if money was actually appropriated to fur- 
ther the scheme to develop Palawan, it "disappeared." 

The savage native people of Palawan include various tribes, some 
of them quite distinct from those found in the other islands of the 
archipelago. In the southern part Jloi'os are found, in the northern 
mountain region, Battaks, and in the central portion and along the 
northern coast Tagbanuas. The latter are commonly believed to be a 
half-breed race, a mixture of the Negritos and some Malay tribe. They 
are quite dark and their hair is inclined to be curly. Under the advice 
and direction of a Spanish engineer who was constructing a highway 
across the island, they have established a village called Tagbarus, in 
which they show a surprising capacity for civilization. They have 
actually organized a form of local government under his advice and 
started small plantations of rice, bananas and cocoanut. 

Their house.s are built after the style of the Paupauan houses in 
New Guinea, away up high on stilts. They stand from six to twelve 
feet above the ground on bamboo i)o]cs, and the material used through- 
out is bamboo and palm. 

^\'lu•u the effort to stimulate voluutarv imniigration into Palawan 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF TUE AKCHU'ELAGO. 229 

failed, the Spanish ooutiuued to fostef their policy of providing wltlers 
by force. Puerto Princesa for a long time has been a penal settlenn^nt. 
From other parts of the colonj convicts are sent to sen'e their ter-ju 
in the island. As in most other penal settlements, when their sen- 
tences expire they have no money to pay for a passage back to their 
homes, so thej^ make tlie best of it by remaining as colonists. While 
they are serving their terms in Puerto Princersa, they are obliged to 
work on government enterprises of various sorts. Formerly a sugar 
plantation was maintained to furnish them employment, and when that 
Avas abandoned they Avere set to clearing timber land near the city. 

As is to be expected, the convicts have suffered the same abuses 
that have been the curse of other penal settlements, aggravated ]ier- 
haps by the fact that in this case the administration was Spanish. 
The convicts at Puerto Princesa suffer a very high death rate, amount- 
ing sometimes to about twenty-five per cent yearly, as the result of tlicir 
hard labor, poor accommodation, insufficient food and ill treatment. 

Primitive Modes of Life. 

Manners of life in Palawan, even in the capital of the island, are 
essentially primitive. The servants are all convicts, who can be hired 
fi'om the government, or by a special concession, "trusties," men Avho 
have a certain degree of liberty, may be obtained. Their houses are 
poor, furniture scanty, and the markets provide an exceedingly lim- 
ited bill of fare, consisting chiefly of rice and fish. The water supply is 
contaminated by surface drainage, so that rain-water preseiwed in large 
tanks must be employed. A large part of the death rate of the con- 
victs must be charged against the water x^rovided lor them. 

The savage native people of Palawan include various tribes, some 
of them quite distinct from those found in the other islands of the 
archipelago. In the southern part Moros are found, in the northern 
mountain region Battaks, and in the central portion and along the 
northern coast Tagbanuas. The latter are commonly believed to be a 
half-breed race, a mixture of the Negritos and some Malay tribe. They 
are quite dark and their hair is inclined to be curly. Under the advice 
and direction of a Spanish engineer Avho was constructing a higlnva}' 
across the island, they have established a village called Tagbarus, in 



230 THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 

wliirli (bey show a surprising caparity fur i,'iviliz;itiijn. Tiioy have 
actually organized a form of local governmeut under bis advice and 
started small plantations of rice, bananas and cocoanuts. 

Among the Savage Tribes. 

Here is a government witbin a government, so to speak, for a comical 
old man deals out justice according to the tribe's traditions, regardless 
of Spanish intervention. 

At one time they were governed by a I'ulcr whose sovereignly 
could terminate only in his death. In that case his eldest son would 
become ruler, if acceptable to the people; if not, one would be chosen 
from among the chiefs. A trial for a grave offense is very simple, and 
the punishment generally more novel than harsh. The judges meet 
with the relatives and friends of the one who prefers the charge and 
the one to be tried. Both are ordered to dive into deep water. The 
one holding his breath or staying under the longest is declared to be 
in the right and the one who has shown his head fii*st is declared to 
have spoken falsely. After that he may be punished beyond the public 
exhibition given of his guilt, if the crime is a serious one. 

It is in the island of Palawan that dammar exists. A large tree 
goes through a sweating process and the gum is taken from it. Some- 
times it runs into the ground, one year's overflow on top of another, 
until extensive deposits have accumulated. In some respects it resem- 
bles the kiraw gum of the north island of New Zealand, except that 
in New Zealand there is doubt as to how the gum got there, for if from 
a tree, it is now entirely extinct. The dammar gatherers add consider- 
ably to the yearly exports from the archipelago, it being estimated that 
nearly 500 tons are shipped annually. 

The preponderance in numbers (jf women over men in some of the 
New England States has been a live topic with social economists, but 
in the island of Palawan ninety per cent of the population is female. 
This is accounted for because of the lack of business ()])portunities in 
Palawan for the men, .so when very young they emigrate to other 
islands, leaving the poor women to shift for themselves. The ca])ital 
is Puerto Princesa. It has also been the Spanish naval station for Pala- 
wan, for the town has the best harbor on the island. A lighthouse and 
a small ship for repairing vessels are the only improvements. 



THE CENTRAL ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 231 



Eflfects of Spanish Misrule. 



At times the Spanish government would adopt what appeared to 
be a policy of great liberality to those who would essay to develop the 
latent resources of the Philippines, particularly Palawan. Grants of 
lands would be given in some instances, but none of those receiving 
grants could ever accomplish anything, for the widely heralded gen- 
erous intentions of the home government never took any sliape beyond 
mere talk. Those who were led into attempting extensive improve- 
ments under the tempting bait usually lost everything they put in. 

Under American control these conditions will, of course, be reversed, 
and the hidden treasures of Palawan, as well as of other islands, will 
be brought to light to benefit mankind. 

It is unfortunate, however, that only Asiatic coolies can do hard 
work in that climate and the white laborer or even the negro of the 
United States cannot derive any of the benefits of this untouched 
wealth. 

Any estimate of the natural resources of the Philippine islands and 
the possibility of profit to energetic immigrants must be incomplete 
because of just such facts as the foregoing. The Spanish policy has 
been a handicap altogether insurmountable. The honest man could 
not face the corruption that surrounded him and compete with it. The 
dishonest man, however willing he might be to bribe and use improper 
influences, would find the demands upon him growing more and more 
as his ability to pay more increased, so that in the end there would be 
little left for him. 

Americans always have been a pioneering people, accustomed to 
endure hardships without complaint and resourceful enough to create 
comfort for themselves even in the wilderness. It is this fact that 
justifies the belief that the development of the remarkable latent 
resources and varied possibilities of profit in the Philippines will be 
rapid and constant as soon as peace settles down upon the islands and 
a regime of law and order, with assurance of protection to life and 
property, is established. 



CflAI-TER Xin. 
SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 

Origin of the Sulu Mohammedans — A \Yar for Supremacy — Fighting the 
Pirates — Insurreclious iu the Islamls — Au EUicieiit Uoveiuor — Where 
the Slave Trade Fk)urishes — How to (Joverii the Siilus — An Ishind 
Comparatively Unknown — Construction of the Native Houses — Pe- 
culiar Systems of Local Government — Hospitality of tlie Filipinos. 

Between the islands of Borneo and Mindanao, extendinij; from north- 
east to southwest, lies a chain of 150 islands, and innumerable islets and 
rocks rising from the water, known as the Snlu archipelago. Their 
coasts are washed on one side by the Sulu sea aud on the other by the 
Celebes sea. According to Spanish authority ninety-five of these islands 
are inhabited. The people are known as the Moros, and it is more than 
likely that they will one day play an inqiortant pai-t in the annals of 
American history in the Philippines. 

The history of the Sulus is the histoiT of the Moros, for there is 
their stronghold. After the Spanish discovery of the Philippines, as the 
invaders endeavored to extend their sovereignty southwestward from 
Mindanao, they found as an obstacle in their way the settlements of 
Sulus. Strangely enough, however, there was in the early daj's of 
Philippine history a short alliance between the opposing forces, on 
which Spain in after years based her claim of sovereignty over the Sulus. 

The Mohammedans reached this chain of islands as a result of 
civil warfare in Borneo. Two sultans who were brothers were in con- 
flict in that great island, and the unsuccessful one, with his followers, 
Jled across the channel into the Sulu islands. It Avas another exodus 
of the same sort from Borneo that brought the Mohammedan element 
into Palawan and the adjacent islands. This defeated sovereign, 
establishing his capital at the tf)wn of Sulu, or Jolo, as tlie Sjiaiiish 
name it, began a Mohammedan civilization which rajiidly became a 
strong power in that part of the world. A cousin of this sultan settled 
on Basilan, which is the nearest to Mindanao of the Sulu chain, and 



SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OP THE MOKOS. 233 

soon became its sole ruler. He was loyal to the sultan at first, but 
in time plotted against him and attacked the capital city unsuccess- 
fully'. After many fights on land and sea he retired again to his own 
possessions in Basilan. 

Then the sultan himself went to Manila and pledged his vassalage 
to the Spanish on condition that they would help him subjugate his 
rebellious cousin. The promise was promptly made, but the squadron 
Vi'hich was equipped under the agreement was delayed several months 
beyond the promised time before it sailed southward. In the mean- 
time the sultan, tired of waiting, attacked the rebels and routed them 
completely, although he was himself killed in the battle. The Span- 
iards in due season arrived at Sulu, and, not finding the sultan, turned 
and went back to Manila. Thej- preseiwed the treaty with great care 
and upon this has been based the Spanish claim of sovereignty over 
the Sulu sultanate. 

A War for Supremacy. 

The next ruler, however, Adasaolan, extended his influence far and 
wide. He developed the archipelago, made alliances with the Moham- 
medan king of Mindanao and the chief of nortliorn Borneo, and com- 
pelled all his subjects and tributaries to adopt the Koran at the point of 
the sword. He built the first mosque in the city of Sxilu and received 
honors and titles all the way from Turkey, from the head of the 
Mohammedan church, the Sublime Porte, in recognition of his services 
to the faith. It would seem that his claim of sovereignty and his posses- 
sion of the territory gave him a better title to the islands than the treaty 
of Manila gave to the Spanish. Nevertheless, in 1595 the Spaniards 
sent an expedition to take jiossession of their property and incidentally 
to spread the gospel among the heathen. Nearly all their officers were 
killed, half the men incapacitated by sickness and wouncis, while the 
war-ship which carried the expedition was so shattered that it was 
able to get only as far as Cebu on the return joiirney. 

From this time on, the Sulu pirates carried their daring incur- 
sions throughout the waters of the archipelago, hardly int<?rrupted 
until English men-of-war suppressed the evil in the present centuxy. 
Their pirate craft frequently sailed into the neighborhoc J oi the city 
of Manila and actually captured trading vessels within «*ight of the 



1>34 Sin; AXJ) .MINDANAO. THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 

peninsula of Cavite. At one time the Sulu pirates held Bohol, CebUj 
Negros, Leyte and even a part of Panay under tribute. When com- 
munities refused to pay tribute they were attacked by these daring 
invaders, their men slain, their houses burned, their property looted, 
and their wives and dauulilers takeu as slaves awav to the south. 



Attempts to Suppress Pirates. 

Undoubtedly the Madrid government did the best it could under 
the circumstances. It appropriated large sums of money for men-of- 
war, forts, weapons and ammunition, and directed the Philippine of- 
ficials to exterminate the piratical communities. But the money was 
diverted into the pockets of colonial office-holders. Thousands of in- 
offensive natives were slaughtered in the wars, while the governors 
wrote home accounts of imaginary victories and glowing descriptions 
of the blessings of peace. At the end of their terms they came back 
rich for life. 

The most pretentious effort made by the Spanish to terminate 
the constant warfare between Spain and Sulu was the establishment 
of a settlement at Zamboanga, at the extreme southeast point of Min- 
danao. Here they built a walled city, constructed strong forts and 
made it a naval station and arsenal second only to Cavite. Directly 
opposite Basilan, and in such close proximity to the Sulu archipelago, 
it provided a fine base of operations, offensive and defensive. But so 
little care was taken of the sanitation of the place that it soon became 
known as the sepulchre of Spain. The absence of sewerage and sanita- 
tion, combined with the heat and moisture, dev('lo])ed malaria] dis- 
eases whose deadliuess astonished even the Spaniai'ds. Of one gan-ison 
of a thousand men, 850 died in a single year. 

In 1750 the governor-general of the Philippines sent a large expe- 
dition from Manila to attack Sulu, but the fleet returned to Zam- 
boanga having accomplished nothing. The islands were continually 
ravaged by the Mohammedan sultan. At last, in 1770, there was a 
tacit agreement for peace between Sulu and Spain, because botli par- 
ties were exhausted v/itli warfare. From that time until 1851 pirates 
occasionally raA'aged Spanish cities and Spanish gunboats destroyed 
Sulu craft, liut imtliing ainnimling to war occurred. 



SULU AND MmDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOKOo. 231 



A Temporary Peace Declared. 

In the latter year troubles began again and for twenty-five years 
affairs got more and more intolerable. The bold ravages of the sultan 
llironghont the archipelago compelled another Spanish expedition in 
1S70, which destroyed several forts and killed many natives, but lost 
more men than it destroyed. Nevertheless, it brought about a tem- 
porary peace. The sultan admitted the sovereignty of Spain over 
the Sulu domain and Spain induced Great Britain and Germany to 
sign a protocol recognizing the treaty. In 1S80 a British company 
colonized a large tract of land in Borneo, recognizing the suzerainty 
of the sultan of Sulu. Spain made a vigorous protest, but the British 
government decided in favor of the sultan. After some negotiations, 
Spain gave up all claim to land in Borneo belonging to the Sulu sul- 
tanate. 

In 1887 insurrection again broke out in the islands and in Min- 
danao itself. The Spanish government sent its fleet at post haste to 
Hie seat of disorder and also forwarded re-enforcements for the vari- 
ous garrisons which had been established in the enemy's country. A 
few mouths after this insurrection was put down another broke out. 
In 1888, however, comparative peace was established throughout the 
Sulu archipelago and since that time the Spaniards have been in legal 
possession of the country. They have ten garrisons scattered 
at different points throughout the islands. Outside of the coasts they 
have no authority nor power whatever. The sultan of Sulu rules the 
same as ever, and the native, not Spanish, laws are observed. The 
population of the group is estimated at 1.50,000, but that is probably 
less rather than greater than the actual population. As a matter of 
English law, the sultan of Sulu exercises sovereignty of a qualified 
soii: over several Borneo sultans. According to Spanish law, he exercises 
some feudal authority over the chiefs of Palawan, a large Mohamme- 
dan sultanate in Mindanao, and over several small tribes on that 
island and the island of Basilan. Nevertheless, they have done what 
they could to reduce the authority to a minimum, regretting every 
point that they have been compelled to yield to his influence. 



l';JS SLLU AND MINDANAO, TUK IIUMK OF TUE MOROS. 



A Royalist with Republican Tendencies. 



The history of (ioneral Arolas is a leinaikable one. As Spanish 
governor in charge of the situation in Sulii, he did all and more than 
could be expected of him. He was a man of sound conviction and 
always readj' to speak the truth. He has told American callers in Sulu 
of his warm admiration for the United States as a type of what a 
republic should be, adding that if he were not a Spaniard he would 
be an American. In the days when the republican party triumphed 
in Spain, Arolas is said to have cast the royal throne out of a window 
with his own hands in order to show his respect for its former occu- 
pants. After the fall of the Spanish republic, he continued to display 
what was considered unseemly activity, and there seems little doubt 
that when he was honored with an appointment as governor of Sulu, 
it was with the intention of exiling him. 

In undertaking the governorship, he found the town in a bad con- 
dition, so far as health was concerned, the defenses were inadequate 
and the garrison in constant danger of annihilation. He compelled 
the Moros to work and made the defenses impregnable. He improved 
the sanitary condition of the town, changing it from a fever center to an 
unusually healthful place. lie established the free school system, buili 
a hospital, a good market and water works. Through his inlluence the 
Sulus soon became the wonder of the far-off islands. Later on he 
attacked the Sultans and succeeded in defeating the ^loros. The Sultan 
made every cn'ort to escape and (inally succeeded in doing so. His most 
important chiefs, however, were killed, their heavy guns were taken 
and the fortifications were pretty much destroyed. The new governor 
followed up his advantage, and attack succeeded attack, until the 
Moslems were subdued as never before. As Arolas escaped unharmed 
from many perils, the Moros looked upon him as one who bore a 
charmed life. They had the greatest respect for him, for he was always 
just, but without mercy. 

Fortunately the Suluanos had met a man they could not master. 
'I'liey realized this to the full extent, and after a little gave up the 
idea of having tlicir own way. 



SULU AKl) MINDANAO, THE IIO.ME (il THE MOKOS. 289 



An Unpopular Decree. 

In 1892 Governor Arolas returned to Spain and Lis successor 
proved to be by no means as capable, although he did not have long 
to prove his ability. Finding things apparently quiet, he decided to 
ie(iuire the Moros to pay taxes and issued a decree to that effect. The 
sultan himself, with a band of his men, presented themselves armed, 
offering to yield to the order. The sultan came forward, presented the 
gdvernor with a bag of pearls, and then, suddenly drawing a baroug, 
s])lit the Spaniard's skull to his teeth. The Moros fell on the sur- 
jirised soldiers and won a complete victory. But two or three of the 
Spanish soldiers escaped by hiding in a subterranean passage. The 
town was destroyed by the Moros. 

The second island of the Sulu group in importance and population 
is Tawi Tawi, which is inhabited by piratical, slave-hunting Moros. 
It is not strange that little is known to civilization about the character- 
istics of the islands of this archipelago when danger lurks at every 
hand. However, it is known that Tawi Tawi is covered from end to 
end with forest. In the old days when slaves were more numerous in 
the Sulu islands, the virgin forest was cleared from a large area near 
the towns and fruit trees were planted in its place. The result is that 
the forests near the settlements are composed almost entirely of trees 
which produce edible fruits. Wild hogs are abundant likewise, fobP 
there is almost no one to hunt them, and, with plenty of food and little 
molestation, they have multiplied astonishingly. 

Where the Slave Trade Flourishes. 

The surface of Tawi Tawi is uneven, but the hills, though steep, 
are low and of quite uniform height. Xear the center a precipitous 
mountain rises to an elevation of some 2,000 feet. The slave business 
still flourishes in Tawi Tawi and to some extent in the other Sulu 
islands, although not so much as here. Girls of fifteen years are valued 
at about five bushels of rice. The slave dealers of Tawi Tawi are said 
to have no difficulty in selling all the able-bodied men they can cap- 
ture to the Dutch planters in Borneo. 

The subjugation and possession of the Sulu archipelago Avill pro- 



240 SULU AND MINDANAO, THE II(»ME OF THE MOROS. 

vido imub iutercstiug aud euorgotic labor for the Uuitod States. It is 
to be doubted if eveu tlie most persistent office-seekers will make stren- 
uous effort to obtain ai)i)ointment to authority there, under the con- 
ditions that they will have to meet. The ilohammedau Moro of the 
Sulu sultanate seems to value life not at all, and to be quite willing at 
anv time to die if in the process he can take the life of two or three 
Christians into eternity with him. Politically and geographically this 
gnmp must go with the Philippine archipelago itse!f,bnt it will be the 
most puzzling part of the possession to govern. The Sulu Mohamme- 
dans of Borneo have given no trouble to the British who hold the sover- 
eignty, and, on the other hand, they have been treated with great 
tact and caution by their British rulers. The authorities let them alone 
in their religious views and advise the mis.sionaries to use all possible 
tact in their endeavors to introduce Christianity. It is difficult to dis- 
cover any middle grouiul in the methods of governing these peoples 
between the English system in effect in India, of leaving the natives 
in full liberty to practice all customs and religious observances which 
do not conflict with life and human safety, and the energetic policy of 
General Arolas of exterminating eveiy one in reach, at the first sign 
of irritation or disagreement 



The Least Known Island of the Group. 

Mindanao, the largest island of the ]'iii]ii)iii7ie archipelago' except 
Luzon, and the most southerly except the Sulu grou]), has been the 
least explored by the Spanish and the slowest to subjugate, in spite of 
the great loss of life and effort that have been expended in the attempt. 
The island has an area of 37,500 square miles. Its savage peoples, high 
mountains and dense forests have made exploration dilllcult, aud until 
within a short time little has been known of its interior. 

Of all the numerous monastic ordere the Jesuit I'^'athers have ren- 
dered more real service to science in the Philippines jirobably than all 
the others combined. In ilindanao their industrious and intelligent 
researches have given to the world practically the only tangible data 
in the shape of reports and mai)s in existence. The Jesuits report 
twenty-four tribes of people, each distinct in its own dialect, as well 
as (itlicr tribes. Xi-ariv three-fourths of the tribes of Mahiv orijiin are 



SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 241 

Pagans and the balance Moros (Mohammedans). The Visayans are 
adherents to the Catholic missions, but they are comparatively few in 
number. They have intermarried to some extent with the Malays, 
which means that the latter, either a Pagan or a Mohammedan, must 
become a Christian before the priest will perform such marriage cere- 
mony. This has sometimes brought ou much trouble with the iloro 
warriors, and they are the most dreaded of all the tribes in Mindanao. 
The Moros inhabit the southern end of Mindanao, and have followed 
the most desperate piracy, which was pretty well broken up, along 
the coast, at least, by the drastic measures of the Spanish army and 
navy. In the interior, however, Spanish authority has been ineffective, 
and they have been able to control but a comparatively small area. 
Theoretically, Mindanao has been districted into five provinces by the 
Spanish, but in reality they have materialized on paper only. 

One of Weyler's Undertakings. 

It was General Weyler who sought to make a record with his gov- 
ernment by conquering the fierce Moros in Mindanao. Accordingly he 
sent all the available Spanish troops as a conquering or an extermin- 
ating expedition against them. Their arrival in Mindanao had no more 
than been announced until the victories reported against the savages 
that had puzzled Spain so long were made the occasions of great cele- 
brations at Manila and the subject of much rejoicing among the people 
of Spain. But this kind of victories has been Spain's wont. They never 
made the least impression on the Moros on the roadless and almost 
pathless interior of Mindanao. The sickness and mortality among the 
S])anish soldiers, sent there for service away from the principal coastal 
points, has always been appalling. 

A Fertile Island. 

While Mindanao is much less developed than Luzon and a number 
of other islands, principally because of these savages, enough is known 
of its resources to class it as one of the very richest in its fertile river 
valleys and numerous lake regions. Its forests contain the most valu- 



242 SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 

;ihlo coimuercial timber, and groat mineral wealth is known to exist. 
(Juki is mined in paying quantities and only awaits the introduction of 
modern methods to yield results of the largest scale. The sea around 
Mindanao, especially to its west, is noted for its placid waters. The 
scenery of the island, with its tropical foliage, makes it a fairyland. 

The name of Mindanao signifies "man of the lake," the natives 
e.xplaining that the name was given because the island is so well 
watered. Its river and lake systems are even more important than 
those of Luzon. The largest river, the Buluan, Avhich rises near the 
southeastern extremitj- of the island, runs north through a great valley 
of remarkable fertility, travei-sing the whole island aud flowing into 
the seat that bounds the north shore. The Kio Grande, on the other 
liand, rises near the north coast and flows .south and west, while there 
are other rivers of lesser imj)ortance. Both of the rivers named have 
their sources aud tributaries in large lakes and there arc many others 
which find an exit to the sea by smaller streams. 

The forests of the islands are of great extent, the splendid trees 
iuiluding many of great commercial value. Beside the valuable 
products of the forest which Mindanao has in ((immon witli most of the 
other islands, gutta ])cr(lia is abundant in certain localities. 



Beautiful Vales and Lofty Mountains. 



The scenery of Mindanao is notably fine. There are several moun- 
tain chains separating the river valleys, and the peaks include a number 
of active volcanoes. The most famous of these is Jlount Apo near 
till' |ii)rt of Devao on the south coast. The summit of this volcano rises 
Ilia luight of nearly 9,000 feet. ICxtinct volcanoes are numerous. 

.\ glance at the map shows Zamboanga to be on the extreme end of 
the long, narrow arm of [Mindanao that extends fai- to tlie southwest, 
aliiiiist to Basilan. 

ISasilau chauucl separates ilic ishind of the same iiaiiic fi'om the 
town of Zamboanga. Through this channel the three steamship lines 
which i)ly between Sydney, X. S. W. (Australia), and Jajjan have their 
course. A trip through this always perfectly smooth channel reveals 
to the traveler a i)erfectly fascinating dreamland. These ships pass 



SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 24^^ 

withiu half a mile of Zamboanga, but do not make it a port of call 
because of the unreasonable harbor restrictions of the Spanish. 

It has a population of 10,000, and should be an important shipping 
city, and no doubt steamship lines will welcome liberal harbor regu- 
lations. 

Around Zamboanga the Spanish have been able to extend their 
authority, but this is only a long, narrow strip a long way from the 
main part of the island. 

Zamboanga, like all the towns in the Philippines, runs strongly 
to pretentious church edifices, commodious houses for the priests and 
the tribunal, the latter being the municipal or town building. 

Each public building contains a bulletin board on which the local 
market quotations for produce is posted. The prices for livery and mes- 
senger services for the first hour and each subsequent one is also posted 
here. It also serves as an inn for the weary traveler, a barracks for the 
troops and a lock-up or jail. Prisoners may be punished here in the 
stocks. 



Picturesque Village Life. 

In the neighborhood of Zamboanga are villages of decent civilized 
natives, resting content under the alien authority. Such villages are 
picturesque aud interesting to the traveler, although they offer no 
accommodations for one who is exacting. Every such village has a 
church, which is the most pretentious edifice in the place, a house for 
the priest, and an institution of the islands known as the tribunal. 
This is a sort of town-hall where the head men of the village meet to 
transact business. It contains a pair of stocks or some other contriv- 
ance for the detention of prisoners. When troops are quartered there, 
the place is used as a barracks, ami most important of all to the 
stranger, any traveler who chooses to do so has a right to put up there. 

In the neighborhood of Zamboanga is an excellent place to 
observe the manners of life of the civilized natives and the relation- 
ship they have held to the Spanish authorities of the Philippines. The 
native houses there are like those of the poorer civilized natives 
throughout the archipelago. 



244 SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOKOS. 

In the oonstructiou of native houses throughout the Philippines 
nails, screws or wooden pins are not used, liamboo is the beginning 
and end of the framework of every house, and this is tied together 
with strips of rattan. Heavy poles of bamboo rest on the ground, and 
a bamboo ladder is used to climb up the several feet from the ground 
to the "ground floor." Underneath this chickens, pigs and dogs may 
lind shelter. The structure is ''boarded'' and shingled with Nipa palm. 
The floors are made from bamboo poles split in half Avith the rounded 
side up. This leaves cracks in some places wide enough to stick one's 
fingers through. I'sually the house consists of but one room occui)ied 
by a large family for cooking, eating and sleeping. 

This style of house is as safe as a tent would be in the i-vcut of ar. 
earthquake, a cyclone or a typhoon. 

But Mindanao, as stated heretofore, is too far south to be within 
the range of typhoons. 

These primitive houses, on account of being so open, not only in 
the floor, but on all sides, are infinitely cooler than the residences of 
the wealthier Filipinos, who, regardless of earthquakes and storms, 
build their houses of boards, with a galvanized iron roof, on a stone 
foundation. 



Native Systems of Government. 



If it has been interesting to study tiie native government under 
Spanish rule, it will certainly be more interesting to us to compare the 
AmcricaTi methods that must now be inaugurated to the former govern- 
ment. What corresponds to our mayors in American towns are known 
in the Philippines as cai>tains. Their headtiuarters are at the ti-ibunal, 
and Ihey are responsible to the governors of the ])i'oviiui- in which (hey 
are located and make their reports to him. This town ruler is known 
as a gobernadorcillo, or "little govenmi-." The towns' peoi)le Inolv upon 
him as a person who has had very high honors bestowed upon him. 

The gobernadorcillo is the tax-collector for his toAvn, and is per- 
sonally res]>oTisil)l(' fur all taxes, including the "cedula'' or head tax 
from every male. .Ml pelly cases in dispute ai-e settled by iiini. Ib- 
is expecied lo eiilertalii \isiling Sjiaiiish ollicials, and as a means of 



SULU AND MINDANAO, THE HOME OF THE MOROS. 245 
holding their frieudship and influence, obliged to make them presents. 

Salaries of Local Officials. 

When it is explained that his salary is two pesos (one United States 
dollar) a }-ear the reader must infer that the officeholder is either a man 
of wealth or forced to be cori-upt. 

There is a great deal of writing to be done at the tribunal, and, as 
the allowance for clerk-hire is usually utterly insufficient, the gobernador- 
cillo must make up the difference. In return he is allowed a salary of 
two dollars per month, and is permitted to carry a cane! 

It is indeed often the case of the office seeking the maji rather than 
the opposite, as yve understand it so well in the United States. The 
office is elective, and the aim is to secure a man of means. He looks 
upon the place as involving a great expense and greater responsibility 
• — as much against his will as it is to seiwe on a jury in our country — 
but he is compelled to serve. 

For the purpose of systematizing the collection of the "cedula" and 
other taxes neighborhoods are grouped together and the names of some 
fifty families are given to the proper official, known as a "cabeza de 
Baraugay." This officer is held personally responsible for the imme- 
diate payment of an amount representing the total tax assessed against 
the group in his charge. No explanation and nothing but the full 
amount of money will answer, whether the people have paid him or not. 

If he is a "hustler," he may ha^e been able to overcharge several, 
and with those who could not pay him f(5r the entire year at once he 
would arrange to accept the amounts in monthly payments, in this way 
getting many times the amount actually due. The difference he pockets 
for himself. The "cabeza de Baraugay" has the power to send the delin- 
quent taxpayer to jail, so his payments are apt to be prompt. 

The officer has what might be called deputies in his "ministry." It 
consists of two tenientes, who take his place during his absence, depend- 
ing upon the size of the town, and one or more others, who act as chief 
of police and patrol the outlying districts. 

Owing to the danger of a town being pounced upon at any time of 
the day or night by the pirates and bandits Avho infested ^liudanao and 
other islands near it, a squad of cuadrillers (police) are always ou duty 
at every village ready to defend it. 



246 SULU A.\D M1^■DA^•A0, THE HUME OF THE MOROS. 

The Responsibilities of OflBce. 

Men who have enjoyed the honor of an election as teniente or 
iTobernadurcillo or a "cabeza de Baraugay" of ten years' service ai-e 
hxiked upon as the wise men and advisers of the community. These, 
together with the priests, comprise a sort of town committee and have 
stated meetings at which all matters of public interest are discussed. 
These meetings are held at the tribunal. On Sunday morning at an 
early hour they meet at the same place, and, forming into a procession, 
headed by the gobernadorcillo, they parade the streets, stirring the 
people with the lively airs of the village brass band. In this manner 
they escort the friar (missionary priest) and tile into the church, the 
populace following. 

On dress occasions these town leaders make quite a pictures(iue 
appearance. They do not believe in hiding the great length of the shirt 
under the pantaloons, even on "state'' occasions, for it is worn outside. 
The shirt is white and reaches almost to the knees. At the waist a 
closely fitting affair no longer than a vest is fastened around the loosely 
hanging shirt, which puffs out below. To the native this dress is the 
height of fashion, and they are not troubled about looking to Paris for 
the "styles." 

The hospitality of the South may be applied to the South of the 
Philippines as well as to the South of our own country, for many of 
the natives met by the traveler in Mindanao are extremely hospitable 
and friendly. They will share the last they have to eat with the 
stranger, and produce the best they have, borrowing from the neigh- 
bors, if necessary, to do all the honor they can to the visitor among 
them. ^ 



CHAPTER XIV. 
THE FILIPINOS AND THEIK CHARACTERISTICS. 

Savage Tribes in the Islands — The Oi'ij;inal Inliabilants — The Commencement 
of the Insurrections — Native Weapons and How They are Used — 
Picturesque Dress of Men and Women — Religious Ceremonies — Beliefs 
of the Mores — Some Civilized Characteristics — A Tribe of Head 
Hunters— How Some of the Natives Live. 

Inhabiting the Philippine islands are at least eighty distinct and 
separate tribes of people, which in a broad classification may be grouped 
as Negritos, Mohammedan Malays, Pagan Malays and civilized Malays. 
Many of these tribes are virtually unknown to explorers, and are still in 
a state of barbarism, unimpressed by any mark of civilization. The 
population of these islands is unknown, and there are no means by 
which a close estimate may be made, as even in those districts where 
the Spanish authorities had complete control of the affairs of state 
the census returns were notoriously unreliable. But it is probable that 
the entire archipelago contains between eight and ten millions of 
people. 

The original population of the Philippines was the tribe know^n as 
Negritos. These aboriginals are at the bottom of the scale in mental- 
ity and in phj^sique, little black felloAVS, who are rapidly disappearing 
and seem destined to speedj' extinction. The best judges of island char- 
acter declai'e them to be incapable of civilization, a fact Avhich lessens 
the regret that they are vanishing. The largest number of them re- 
maining are in the islands of Mindanao and Negros, where they people 
the splendid forests clothing the mountain slopes. There are also a 
few of the NegTitos left in Mariveles mountain, near the mouth of Ma- 
nila bay on the island of Luzon, while in the vicinity of Cape Engano, 
at the northeastern extremity of the same island, they are still quite 
numerous. Even at the time of the Spanish conquest the Negritos 
were becoming decimated bj^ their conflict with the Malay invaders. 
Now they have become a wretched, sickly race of almost dwarfish 

247 



248 THE FILIPINOS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 

statiuv. Alllioujili uot of the Africau typt.', their hair is oiirly, tlicir 
skins blade and their features coarse and repulsive. Agriculture is lit tic 
j-raeticed by them, but they depend fur food ujxin the ])roduets of the 
forest and ui)on the j:;anie whieh falls before their poisoned arrows. 

The Moros, ov M<diauiniedau Malays, are ehielly eonliiud to the 
islands of Mindanao, Palawan, I?asilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi anil Miudoni, 
The Moros have played a very important i)art in the history of the 
riiilipjiines. They were a jieojile of IJorneo, who ari'ived in thi' arclii- 
]K'la<io just at the liiuc <if the Sjtanish discoverer. Lamlinji; lirst iu 
l?asilau, they spread rajiidly over the .small islands of the ,Sulu and 
Tawi Tawi groups, eventually occupying the whole coast of Mindanao, 
the .southern third of Palawan and the small islands adjacent. Before 
they had comi)letely overrun Palawan, they were interrupted by the 
Spanish troops in their own con(|uest and sinit- then they have not been 
able to advance their settlements. 

The Commencement of the War. 

The lirst encounter between the Spaniards and tiie Moro.s resulteil 
from an unprovoked attack made bj' the European traders up(»n one of 
the Moro chiefs of Mindanao. The result was disastrous to the aj;- 
gressors, who were ahuost annihilated. The fierce Moslem warriors 
returned the attack witli all tlie stimulus of ilicir fanatical passions. 
They raided the Spanisii ami native coast I owns of the central and 
northern islands with annual piratical e.xpeditions, meeting with great 
success and taking thousands of captives and lich treasure. For more 
than '27i{) years these forays continued, while in every village wahli- 
tower in the northern islands there was constant vigilance by the sni- 
Irifs wlio watclie(l fur ilir ;i|i|ir(iatli cif ilic Miu'o lleets. The success of 
the raitlers was coni iiiiicil. Not only were natives enslaved by thou- 
sands, but Spanisii iihinicrs, govcnimciil ollicials and ])i'icsls were 
killed or ludd for ransom. 

Tlu' history of the l'hili|ipiiic islmids is hu-gcly tlic liisloiy nf the 
wars between Spanish and Moro forces, (tf course, tlie Spaniards 
could not submit tamely to such an intolerable state of affaii-s. Ex]ii'- 
(lit ion after expedition was sent against the M(diamme(lan foices, ami 
with great exjiense of money and life a few temimrai-y successes were 
gained. <!arrisons were eslablislie(l even in Sulii. mily In be massacred 



THE FILTPIXOS AND TnRIR CHARACTERISTIC!^. 240 

or driveu from tlio islauds. Fiually, with the iinproveiiiciit in lii-c-aniis 
accessible to the Spanish forces, and the construction of li^lit-draft 
steam gunboats and rapid-fire gnus, the Spaniards gained an ail vantage 
which could not be overcome and piracy was reduced to a minimum, 
(iunboats patroled the islands in every channel. No Moro craft was 
pcruiitted at sea except with a written permit from the nearest Spanish 
governor. An}- prau violating this order was either rammed and sunk 
by any gunboat meeting it or swept by the fire of the machine-guns, no 
(juarter ever being given. Then village after village was destroyed by 
shells from the gunboats, even the town of Sulu, which had been the 
residence of the Moro sultans, suffering destruction in 1876. A Spanish 
military post was established in its place. Other Moro strongholds in 
the different islands were taken and fortified, the coast villages burned, 
and the inhabitants driven to the hills, until finally by tacit agreement 
a sort of armed truce began, which, with frequent interruption, con- 
tinued for a number of years. 

A Difficult Proposition in Government. 

The sultan of Sulu is the ruler of all the Moros in the Philippines, 
although his authority is not very well established in Mindanao, where 
thei-e are two subordinate sultans. Under the sultan of Sulu, the au- 
thority is delegated to a regent, who acts during his absence; a minister 
of war and a minister of justice, with a local chief in each district 
and a mandarin in each Tillage. The higher authorities in the church 
are the cherifs, hereditary 'officers who have certain authority in tem- 
poral as well as spiritual affair.s. Under them are panditas or priests, 
who look after the immediate spiritual welfare of the people. The Mo- 
hammedanism of the Moros is hardly as well defined or carefully prac- 
ticed as that of the Mohammedan countries of Asia. Their mosques 
are built of bamboo. Theii- language, which is written In Arabic char- 
acters, is based on Sanskrit roots. 

Instruments of Attack and Defense. 

The Moros do not fail to justify the reputation given them that they 
are among the most ferocious and daring people of the earth and 
among the most difficult to control. All the males above sixteen rears 



250 THE FILIPINOS AND TOEIK CHARACTERISTICf!. 

of age go armed, except those in settlements under t>panish 
dominion, where this practice is prevented. Their weapons aie ol' 
excellent steel, beautifully linislied and admirably adapted for the vio- 
lent use for which they are intended. The barong, the campilan and the 
kris are those most favored. The first is somewhat after the fashion of a 
butcher's cleaver, witli thick back and thin edge. The strong and 
skillful warrior prides himself on being able to cut an opponent in half 
if he can get a chance for a fair blow. The campilan is a straight-edged, 
two-handed sword, with a blade wide at the tip and steadily narrowing 
towards the hilt; it is used only for cutting, for which it is thorough- 
ly effectual. The straight kris is a narrow-bladed, bevel-edged sword 
used for cutting and thrusting. The serpent kris, with its wavy, dou- 
ble-edged blade is used for thrusting and inflicts a horrible wound. 

The men are of medium height and superb muscular development. 
They dress in pantaloons, waistcoat, jacket, sash and turban, all gaud- 
ily colored and showily embroidered. Their pantaloons are usually 
skin-tight below the knee and loose above. The rank of a Moro is in- 
dicated by the way he ties his turban. Under all circumstances a Moro 
carries barong, kris or campilan thrust into his sash. If he expects 
serious trouble, he has in addition a shield of light wood and a lance 
with a broad, keen head. His conveniences for working steel are of 
the simplest, but the blades which he produces are highly tempered 
and often beautifully finished. He sometimes works silver in with the 
steel or even inlays it with gold. The hilts of his side-arms are of hard, 
polished wood or ivory and are sometimes handsomely carved. He is 
crazy to get hold of lire-arms, but seldom succeeds, and at any rate is 
usually a very bad marksman. 

How the Women Dress. 

Moro women are exceedingly fond of bright colors, scarlet and 
green being their favorites. Their garments are a skin-tight waist, a 
baggy divided-skirt, and a novel garment called the jabul, made by 
sewing together tlic t \vn luds of a long piece of cloth. This is draped 
about the body in various ways and may be thrown over the head to 
keep off the sun. Moro children usually possess clothes like those of 
their elders, but they make very little use of them. 

The men are veiy skillful boatmen and sailors. The boat that 



THE FILIPINOS AXD THEIR CHARA(^TERISTICS. 251 

tliey us«e, the prau, is of the type familiar among all the islauds of the 
south Pacific, a frail-looking affair, skillfully carveil out of a log, with 
outriggers which guarantee its stability. They are swimmers of marvel- 
ous skill and their performances in diving for pearls are almost incredi- 
ble. Other than that, however, the men consider it beneath their dignity 
to engage in manual labor. 

The Moro is a born warrior and chafes under restraint. He dis- 
dains to work and expects his wants to be supplied by his wives and 
slaves. lie gives much time to the care of his arms and to perfecting 
himself in their use. He tries to terrify an opponent hj making hideous 
faces, uses his shield very skillfully, and in battle is the bravest of the 
brave. Inhuman cruelty, however, is one of his characteristics, and he 
will cut down a slave merely to try the edge of a new barong. 

An Unpieasant Eeligious Rite. 

One unpleasant phase of life among the Moros has been the system 
by which the orthodox native proves the merit of his religion. The 
Moros believe that one who takes the life of a Chtistian thereby in- 
( reases his chance of happiness in the future life. The more Chris- 
tians killed, the brighter the prospect for the Moro, and if he is only 
fortunate enough to be himself killed while slaughtering the enemies 
of the faithful, he is at once transported to the seventh heaven. From 
time to time it happens that one of them wearies of this life, and, de- 
siring to take the shortest road to glory, he bathes in a sacred spring, 
shaves off his eyebrows, dresses in white and presents himself before a 
pandita to take solemn oath to die killing Christians. lie then hides a 
kris or barong about his person and seeks the nearest town. If he can 
gain admission, he snatches his Aveapon from its concealment and runs 
amuck, slaying every living being in his path, until he is finally him- 
self dispatched. The number of lives taken by one of these mad fanatics 
is sometimes almost incredible, but he is eventually killed himself and 
his relatives have a celebration when the news of his death reaches 
them. 

The religion of the Moros is a modified Mohammedanism. They 
believe that the sun, moon and stars are the light of God. There are 
Ko other worlds than this in the universe, but there are beings which 
inhabit the air above us and the earth beneath our feet. They worship 



252 THE FILIPINOS AND TniCIli CnARACTERISTICS. 

God like ourselves. There is one God called Tooban. Man 
ditiers from the brutes in bis bigber intelligence and in bis ability to 
speak. Animals have spirits, but tbey are not like the soul of man 
and vanish into thin air when death comes. The soul of man lives for- 
ever. It enters bis bod}' at the top of bis bead when he is bora, an 
opeiung being left between the bones of the skull for that purpose. It 
leaves the body at death once more through the skull. When one dies 
bis soul, according to some panditas, goes directly to the place of God; 
according to others it goes under the earth to sleep until the last day. 
A bad man's soul eventually goes to hell, which is a place of torment 
where one is punished according to his sins. If be has talked too much 
his mouth i)aius him; if he has been jealous, cruel or treacherous, it is 
liis heart; if he has been murderous or thievish, his baud. In tlie course 
of time every man's puuislniiL'Ut is finished aud be goes to heaven. 

Some Tenets of the Moro's Faith. 

Some panditas say that one's iniuislimeut consists in misfortune, 
disap{)ointnient and suffering here below, and that atonement comes 
l>efore death. Others declare that the good souls wait in the air and tlie 
evil ones in the earth, and tliere is neither hell nor judgment until tlie 
end of the Avorld. Then all souls, good and bad, will be swept uj) as by 
a great wind and carried to the Mount of Calvary, where tbey will meet 
Gabriel, Jlichael and the Weigher, who will weigh each one. Souls 
heavy with sin Avill be sent down to bell. The Moros believe in all 
the Old Testament characters like "Ibrahim," "No," "Adam," "Mosa," 
f'Sulaiman," "Yakub," and others. They know the outlines of the stories 
of Adam and Eve, the flood, etc. According to them, Jesus Oirist, called 
by the Moros Isa, was a man like ourselves, but great and good and very 
powerful. He was not a son of God. The Moros hate and kill the (Mm is- 
tians because they teach that nu'Ti conid imnish and kill a son nf God. 

The Tagalogs are the people of the lMiiiii)pines who are likely to 
come most closely in contact with Americans in the beginning because 
it is they who have been most active in the insurrection against the 
Spanish in Luzon around Manila. In the Philippines are, perhaps, 
live million civilized natives, belonging for the most part to three tribes, 
Hie Tagabigs, Ilocanos and Visayans. While the tribes differ and there 
are even dilTerences within tiie same tribe under varying comlitious, 




CAPTAIN CHARLES V. GRIDLEY. 

Commander of the Flagship Olympia. AVhen the fleet was read}- to sail 
from Hongkong, Captain Gridley was already- a dying man : but he 
kept his sufferings to himself and performed his duty until sent home 
by medical sur\-ey several weeks after the battle. He died at Kobi, 
Japan, June 4, on his way to the United States. 



THE FILIPINOS AND TSEIR CHARACTERLSTICS. ^ 255 

still the ciTilized natives are sufficiently similar to be considered as a 
single class in looking toward the future of the islands. The best 
students of the islanders believe that the natives are naturally fairly 
intelligent and often most anxious for an opportunity to get some 
education. The fact that the great mass of the people are ignorant 
affords no proof that they are stupid, for they have been deliberately 
kept in ignorance from the time of the Spanish discovery until now. 

Some Characteristics of Civilization. 

The moral obligation to tell the truth does not weigh heavily upon 
the Filipino. The civilized natives often lie to conceal the most trivial 
shortcoming, or even without any excuse whatever, and the detection 
of a falsehood brings no regret except chagrin that the practice has 
not been more dexterously carried out. The Filipino cannot under- 
stand punishment for falsehood, because it is not to his mind an offense. 
For a fault which he recognizes, however, as such, he will submit to 
punishment without a murmur, and indeed he thinks more of a master 
w^ho applies the rattan for punishment when it is deserved, than of 
one who does not. On the other hand, he is quick to resent what he 
considers to be injustice and will bide his time in silence until his 
vengeance is certain. 

The natives of the Philippines have not made eminent contribu- 
tions toward the advance of science, literature and art, but that proves 
little as to their capacity under a regime of development. Even as it is, 
the Tagalog race has developed one painter of merit, one author of 
excellent ability, and some wood-carvers who have done admirable work. 
But the average native, situated as he is, could not be expected to 
make any advancement along such lines. Within his own sphere 
he is certainly ingenious and ever ready with a remedy for any mishap 
that may occur. 

The Filipino frequently shows himself irresponsible in financial 
affairs, spending money that he should save and borrowing what he is 
not likely to be able to repay. On the other hand, he seldom repudiates 
his debts, and if called upon to meet them does his best. 

The charge that the Filipino is indolent does not weigh heavily 
upon those who know the conditions. The man who would exert him- 
self unnecessarily in such a climate, whether white or native, would 



256 THE FILIPINOS AND TUEIR CnARACTERISTlC^^. 

be subject to much curiosity. No one can work there as he wtuiui in 
a temperate climate and live. Nature has done so much for her child- 
ren in these islands that they have no need to labor hard in order 
to supply their few and simple wants. Spanish administration has 
not been such as to encoura«>e the natives to pile up money for the 
tax-f^atherer and the village friar. Once they are made to realize new 
wants of their own, they will work to satisfy them. In Siquijor, Bohol 
and (ither islands where hard natural conditions make it difficult to earn 
a livelihood, the people are noted for their industry and are, conse- 
quently, in demand as laborers. 

Good Qualities of the Natives. 

It is well to emphasize that the civilized Filipino has many good 
qualities to offset his defects. He is hospitable to the limit of his 
means, and will go to any amount of trouble to accommodate some 
perfect stranger who has not the slightest claim on him. Every village 
has its bath and the people are notable for their personal cleanli- 
ness. The homes are well regulated and the family life is peculiarly 
happy. The children are orderly, respectful and obedient to their 
parents and respectful to strangers. Wives are allowed an amount 
of liberty hardly equaled in any other eastern country, and they seldom 
abuse it. They have their share of the work to do, but it is a just sliare 
and they perform it without question and without grumblirg. 

The civilized native is self-respecting and self-restrained to a re- 
markable degree, patient under misfortune and forbearing under 
provocation, ^yhen he does give way to auger, however, he is as likely 
as not to become for tlie moment a maniac and to do some one a fatal 
injury. He is a kind father and a dutiful son. Ilis aged relatives are 
never left in want, but are brought to his home to share the best that 
it affords to the end of their days. Among his fellows the Filipino is 
genial and sociable. He loves to sing and dance. lie is a born musi- 
cian and his performances upon the instruments at his disposal are 
often very remarkable, lie is naturally fearless and admires nothing 
so much as bravery in others. Under good officers he makes an excel- 
lent soldier, and he is ready to fight to the death for his honor or his 
home. 






THE FILIPINOS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 257 



A Tribe of Head Hunters. 

Out of the manj- wild tribes of the Philipi)ines other than those 
that have been mentioned in connection with the descriptions of 
the various islands, it is necessary to mention here but a few more, 
the names of which will become familiar to American students of 
conditious in the Philippines. The word Igorrote, which was originally 
the name of a single tribe, was extended to include all the head-hunt- 
ing tribes of Luzon, and later became almost synonymous with wild, 
so that when one speaks of the Igorrotes at the present day he re- 
fers to a number of fierce hill tribes which differ widely. Head- 
hunting is practiced by the Gaddanes, but it is for the most part con- 
fined to the season when the fire-tree is in bloom. It is said to be 
impossible for a young man of this tribe to find a bride until he has 
at least one head to his credit. There are a number of other head- 
hunting peoples, among whom may be mentioned the Altasanes and 
Apayaos. Not all of the wild peoples are warlike, however, the Tingui- 
anes, for instance, being a peaceable, well-disposed race. 

The large island of Mindoro, which lies directly south of Manila 
bay, is the island least known in the northern Philippines and is almost 
universally avoided by white men. The natives frequently refer to 
it significantly as the white man's grave. At the present time it is 
celebrated chiefly for the unsavory reputation of its people, the heavi- 
ness of its rainfall and the deadliness of the miasma in its fever-smit- 
Ten lowlands. 

Once Mindoro was famous for its splendid crops of rice and its 
people were peaceable Tagalogs. Their prosperity attracted the atten- 
tion of the Moros, who raided their towns. Then an epidemic exter- 
minated the buffalos, leaving the natives without means of tilling their 
land, and cholera did the rest. Now the few poverty-stricken villages 
<m the east coast, which are supposed to be under Spanish protection 
and control, amount to little. It is unsafe for white men to visit in 
the villages on the west coast. The once rich fields have grown up to 
forest land and the island is a rendezvous for desperate criminals who 
escape from the neighboring provinces and seek refuge in Mindoro, 
where they are safe f'^om pursuit. 



258 THE FILIPINOS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 



An Unexplored Island. 

In the interior of Mindoro are a number of lofty mountains, the 
highest peali attaining an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet. These moun- 
tains and the adjacent lowlands are clothed in magnificent forests which 
the hand of man has never disturbed. Between the mountains and the 
west coast are extensive plains covered with high grass. East of 
the mountains are heavily timbered lowlands crossed by numerous 
rivers. There are no maps nor charts of this island sufficiently accurate 
to be of any value to travelers. The rainfall is enoi'mous for nine 
months of the year, and even during the dry season, from March to 
May, exploration in the interior is frequently interrupted by the heavy 
rains. 

The principal town of the island, considered to be the capital, is 
Calapan, and other settlements around the coast are Mauganiu, Man- 
salag and Naujan. Calapan is on the northeast coast, opposite Luzon. 
There is no anchorage and the surf runs so heavily during the autumn 
months that steamers are often forced to carry the mails by without 
landing. The only Europeans at the capital are the necessary officials 
and a few shop-keepers, while outside of Calapan half a dozen friar ; 
form the entire Spanish population of the island. 

There is a tribe of primitive savages dwelling in Mindoro, entirely 
distinct from any found elsewhere in the archipelago. They are called 
Maugyans and bear a verj- bad reputation for savagery to strangers. 
The most exhaustive exploration of Mindoro Avas ma(l(> by Professor 
Worcester, who declares that the bad reputation of the MaugAans is 
by no means justified. Instead of being the dreaded head-hunters and 
cannibals of whom such alarming reports are circulated, they proved 
to be as harmless as children. 

The houses of the Mangyans are of the crudest sort, huts which 
are mere platforms of poles with shelters of leaves above them. Na- 
tives wear but little clothing and live in the rudest fashion in the depth 
of the forest. The Mangyans are found both in the lowlands and in Ihi^ 
mountains, the mountaineers being in every way superior to the low- 
landers. They are physically well developed and comparatively fi'ee 
from disease. Their noses are very (lat. Their heads are covered 
with great shocks of black hair, often showing a tendency to curl. Pro- 



THE FILII'INOS A:ND THEIR OHAKACTERISTICS. 259 

fessor Worcester reports that the tallest of the meu was five feet and 
one-half inch in height. 

How Some of the Native? Live. 

Besides vegetables and grain they eat roots and tubers, as well 
as any birds they can get, civet-cats, rats, monkeys, snakes, lizards and 
fish. Ci'ocodiles they consider a great luxury, although they are seldom 
able to catch one. In hunting they use bows and poisoned arrows, and 
occasionally manage to bring down a wild hog. All of the Mangyans 
who have been questioned, emphatically deny any belief in a future 
life. They do not show the slightest evidence of iilolata'y or any wor- 
ship or religion of any sort whatsoever. They are, howevei", moral in 
their personal relations and honest in the extreme. Professor Worces- 
ter says: "On the whole, after making somewhat extensive observa- 
lions among the Philippine natives, I am inclined to formulate the law 
that their morals improve as the square of the distance from churches 
and other so-called civilizing influences increases." 

Mindoro is infested with many bandits known ns Tulisanes, who 
hunt in parties, robbing and murdering in the boldest manner, after 
the fashion of bush-rangers in the earlix?r history of Australia. They 
make travel in Mindoro exceedingly dangerous. The natural resources 
of this island are undoubtedly' great, but the combination of its dan- 
gerous Tulisanes and its exceeding unwholesomeness makes it far 
from attractive for the American traveler. 



CHAPTER XV. 

COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

New Fields for Americau Enterprise — Where Rope is Made — Needs of the 
Hemp Growers — An Opportunily for Inventors — Magnitude of the 
Sugar Industry — The Tohacco Factories of Maniki — lutlucnce of the 
Chinese in Industrial Matters — Window Panes Made From Shells — 
The Uses of the Bamboo — Rice the I'rincipal Article of Food — How to 
Reach the Islands. 

The most notable and profitable industry- of the Philippine islands, 
the one that is actually essential to the world's convenience, Is the 
production of Manila hemp, from which rope is made. This archipelago 
has long furnished the world with its entire supjily of the fiber. The 
only attempt to produce hemp outside of the Philippines that has met 
with any success Avhatsoever, is one recently made in North Borneo, but 
this has not been continued long enough to affect the industry in the 
Philippines. The product is something enormous. The average num- 
ber of bales e.\i)oited for the years 1888 to 1897 was 651,^1)7, but the 
©utput has been steadily increasing and in 18{)7 it reached a total of 
825,028 bales. 

Manila henij), known in the Philippines as abaca, is the fiber of a 
wild plantain. Its plants so closely resemble those of the edible 
banana that only an expert can distinguish them. Abaca will not live 
on swampy land, yet, as it requires considerable moisture, it must be 
shaded by trees that can resist the sun. The best plants are grown 
at a moderate elevation, on hillsides from which only the smaller forest- 
trees have been cut. The best thus far grown has been raised in Leyte, 
Marinduque and the districts of Sorsogon and Gubat in Luzon. 

Excejit Manila itself, the principal hemp ports are in the central 
and southern islands of the archipelago. Iloilo is one of .some impor- 
tance. The gi-eatest, however, is Cebu, and others of large commerce 
in heiiij) are Catbalogau, on the island of Samar, and Tacloban, on the 
island of Leyte. Every port among those neighboring islands finds its 

260 



COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 261 

commerce in the hemp industry. Surigao, at the northeastern extrem- 
ity of Mindanao, is not a large port, but it ships some of the best hemp 
that comes into the Manila market and it is of consequent importance 
in the islands. 

How Hemp is Produced. 

The slender stem of the wild plantain is enveloped by overlapping, 
half-round petioles, which produce the fiber. In order to extract it 
the plant is cut and the leaf-stems are separated and allowed to wilt 
for a short time. Each is then drawn between a block of wood and a 
knife hinged to the block, and provided with a lever and treadle so 
that it can be firmly held down on the stem. By this means the pulp 
is scraped from the fiber, which is wound around a stick as fast as it is 
drawn from under the knife. The whole little machine is so absurdly 
simple, with its rough carving knife and rude levers, that it hardly 
seems to correspond with the elaborate transformation that takes place 
from the tall trees to the slender white fiber. 

One man can clean only twenty-five pounds of hemp a day. When 
it is remembered that the harvest for 1897 was more than 825,000 bales, 
weighing 240 pounds each, it seems the more remarkable that so rude 
an instrument should have such an important part to play. After 
being drawn from the leaves the hemp is next spread in the sun for 
at least five hours to dry, when it can be immediately baled. Most of 
the hemp presses are run by man power. 

Abaca is usually propagated by transplanting the suckers that 
spring from its roots. It reaches maturity in three years from these 
cuttings and in four years from seed. It should be cut when it flowers, 
as fruiting weakens the fiber. There are no insect pests that injure 
the growing plant to any extent. It is necessary to employ native 
laborers and they must be closely watched, as they are inclined to 
allow the petioles to rot and to use serrated knives in drawing the 
fiber, thus decreasing the labor of extracting it, but sacrificing its 
strength. 

An Opportunity for Inventors. 

About thirty per cent of the fiber is wasted by the present method 
of extraction and a fortune undoubtedly awaits the man inf!,enious 
enough to devise a suitable labor-saving machine to take the place 



262 COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

of the simple device at present used for drawing it. Numerous attempts 
to meet this want liave been made in the past, but the various cou- 
trivances have all failed through either breaking the fiber or discolor- 
ing it. To be of practical value a machine must be light enough to 
be readily carried about by a few men. Under existing conditions abaca 
plantations are estimated to yield under careful management an an- 
nual return of thirty per cent on the investment. 

The second commercial industrj- of the Philippines in its impor- 
tance as an export is sugar growing. The best sugar land is found 
in the island of IS'egros and not more than half of it is under cultiva- 
tion. Good uncleared land sells for |50 per acre and cleared land for 
$75. The value of land suited to raising sugar varies with the facili- 
ties for drainage and the distance from market. Partially exhausted 
land near Manila brings as much as |115 an acre, while Luzon laud 
producing a third more sugar, but at a distance from the capital or 
any other good port, sells at |30. All of these values are estimated 
in the silver currency of the islands. The construction of railways 
would do much to open up new country and readjust values. 

The sugar estates in the Philippine islands usually are small, not 
more than a dozen of them producing above 1,0U0 tons each per annum. 
In spite of this fact, the crop has been a large one. In 1888 exports 
reached their maximum with more than 200,000 tons. Since that time 
they have fallen off, owing to the increased production of beet sugar 
and the consequent depreciation of that obtained from cane. 

Magnitude of the Sugar Industry. 

There are local variations in the i^roductiou of sugar in the Philip- 
pines, although the essential processes are about the same as iu other 
countries. Tahiti cane is planted in Luzon, and Java cane in the south- 
ern islands. Nearly all the Negros grinding mills are of European make. 
Antiquated wooden or stone crushers, run by buffalo power, are ex- 
tensively used in the other sugar-producing districts. Transportation 
to the coast is by buffalo cart or by water. Negros has no port which 
will admit large vessels, and sugar u.iist be shiiiped to Iloilo in small 
steamers or schooners. 

In the northern Philippines the synip from the boiling pans is 
poured into porous earthern pots, holding about 150 pounds each, and 



COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 263 

is then allowed to drain. The molasses, which is caught in jars, is 
sold to distilleries for making- alcohol. In Negros the method is dif- 
ferent. The syrup is boiled longer and is finally poured into large 
wooden troughs and stirred with shovels until it cools, forming a dry 
sugar which is ready to pack at once. The sugar produced by the 
method first described is called "clayed" sugar. It must be broken 
up and sun-dried before it can be shipped. 

The cigar factories of Manila are the chief local industry of the 
city. The manufacture of tobacco products has been the chief source 
of revenue uuder the Spanish regime, to church and state as well 
as to the merchants. Including the raising of the tobacco by field 
laborers on the plantations and the makers of the trade supplies, the 
industry gives emploj'ment to several hundred thousand people. The 
famous Manila tobacco is a descendant of plants brought from Mexico to 
the Philippines by missionaries in the latter part of the seventeenth cen- 
tury. The plants flourished in their new home and the natives soon 
became exceedingly fond of tobacco. 

How the Spaniards Controlled Tobacco. 

During the first two centuries of Spanish rule, little attention was 
paid to the cultivation of tobacco, but in 1781 a royal decree of Spain 
declared the entire tobacco business of Luzon to be a government mo- 
nopoly. The natives were compelled to raise it against their will, out- 
rageous abuses arose and rioting often resulted. By one expedient 
after another and laws of remarkable cruelt.y, the Spanish succeeded 
in raising the revenue from about two millions in 1840 to five millions 
in 1859 and eight millions in 1870. Natives were compelled to raise 
tobacco where before they planted corn and rice. Finally another law 
was passed whereby any land not cultivated in tobacco was appro- 
priated by the government and given to any appointee who would 
devote it to that purpose. Under tyranny and starvation the natives 
rebelled and great violence was shown by the soldiers who put down 
the insuri'ection. Finally, on the last day of 1882, the monopoly was 
aboJished by law and the disgraceful business was brought to an end. 

Although the best Philippine tobacco is not considered equal to 
the choicest Cuban crop, it is nevertheless excellent. Thus far compara- 
tively little systematic effort has been made to improve its quality. 



264 COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

There is no question that the quantity of tLie crop might be greatly 
increased and its (loiality bettered by more careful gi'owing and curing. 
Until now the best results have been obtained in north Luzon, although 
tobacco is groAvn also in Panay, Negros, Cebu and Mindanao. In 18117 
the leaf tobacco exported was more than 800,000 pounds, while the 
cigar.s numbered nearly 157,000,000. In addition the home consump- 
tion is large, for nearly everybody smokes in the islands, native and 
foreign, man, woman and child. The tobacco is milder and not as well 
flavored as the Cuban. It comes close to the Mexican leaf, from which 
it is descended, but, according to experts, is better than the latter. 

The tobacco factories in Manila range from small shops to estab- 
lishments employing hundreds and even thousands of operatives. They 
are large, roomy buildings, well ventilated, with excellent sanita- 
tion. The operatives are mainly girls and women, mostly half-castes 
and natives. The largest concern employs more than 10,000 operatives. 

CoflFee Growing in Luzon. 

Coffee of excellent quality is readily grown in the Philippines, 
where the bushes come to bearing in their fourth year. They grow best 
at a considen-able elevation, where the temperature does not average 
above seventy degrees Fahrenheit. The bushes require shade and 
moisture and yield but one crop of bei'ries annually. These are picked 
from the trees by hand, heaped up in piles for a few days, and then 
washed to get rid of pulp. The price of coffee at Manila varies greatly 
from year to year. The most extensive plantations are near Batangas 
in tiie island of Luzon. The coffee raised in the Philippines is of the 
same varieties and qualities as that from the Dutch East Indian posses- 
sions and can be just as favorably marketed. The export trade in 
coffee has not been exceedingly large, but the local consumption is 
considerable. 

Gutta percha of good quality is abundant in certain localities in the 
Philippines, particularly in Mindanao. It is hardly known as a Philip- 
pine export, as the two or three men who have dealt in it have kept their 
knowledge to themselves as far as possible. 

1 The export trade in hemp, sugar, tobacco and the other commercial 
products of the Philippines has been in the hands of European houses. 
Several important English, German, French and Spanish firms have 
houses in Manila, but the only American concern in the islands with- 



COMMERCIAL AXD NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 265 

drew from business there the year before the outbreak of war. The 
trade of the islands is highly profitable and has been well organized 
by the representatives of these great concerns. 

Native Industries of the Islanders. 

The native Filipinos are by no means as indolent as they are gen- 
erally credited with being, and are quite as industrious as they could be 
expected to be in such a climate and under such a governmental regime 
as existed during the Spanish administration. The Filipinos have their 
own native industries, which are quite distinct from the commercial in- 
dustries that depend on the rest of the world for their prosperity and 
their market. It is true that many of the native industries have taken 
on a commercial form in late years. In many cases their product of 
one sort and another has been such as to win favor for itself by proving 
its merit. 

Many of the native industries are very ancient, especially those 
involving spinning and weaving and the utilization and manufacture 
of sea-shells into useful and ornamental articles. The Chinese have 
done much to introduce various occupations among the Filipinos, fol- 
lowing the same custom that has been theirs wherever they have 
found inferior races in their migrations. It is to the Chinese, therefore, 
that many of the leading industries are credited. 

The most important of these industries, from a commercial point 
of view, is the manufacture of a beautiful fabric from the fiber of 
the pineapple leaf. This cloth, known variously as piiia and nipe, 
wins favor wherever it is shown, although it is little known in the 
United States. The cloth has the brilliancy and strength of silk, com- 
bining beauty with excellence in wearing qualities. The making of the 
cloth is not a complicated process. The leaves are rotted under water 
and in the sun, in order to separate the long threads and free them 
from gum, sap and foreign matter. These threads or hairs are very 
fine, varying in color from white to grayish and yellowish white. After 
being carefully washed by the native women, they are woven upon a 
simple hand-loom which bears a strong resemblance to the native 
looms used in China. The fabric resulting is considered the most ex- 
quisite that can be had for woman's dress in the Philippines. The 
same fabric is produced in Cuba, where it is equally popular. It is 



266 COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

the custoiTi there, however, instead of weaving the clotli locallv, to ship 
the hber in "bales to Spain, where it is woven on more perfect looms. In 
Spain and in France the fabric is considered one of the most beautiful 
that can be obtained, and those American women who have seen it 
quite agree with that judgment. 

Bracelets and Necklaces from Shells. 

The shell industries of the Filipinos are peculiarly interesting and 
altogether novel. Nature has furnished material in endless quantity 
and variety. The simplest form of shell work is to make bracelets and 
necklaces out of little shells of great variety, some no larger than chil- 
dren's glass beads. Live shells are preferred to dead shells in all the 
work and bring much higher prices, live shells of course meaning those 
in which the animal is living when taken from the water. The oyster 
shells of many species are utilized for this work. Some are perfectly 
flat, while others are deep and large. Conchs are found in numerous 
variety, widely varied in color and shape. From small shells spoons 
of all sorts are made. The bowl may be of a bright golden color with 
a high luster, the outside being pearl-gray or pink. These spoons are 
very cheap and can be bought in any size for a few cents a dozen. 
From the conch shells are made handsome bowls, tureens, vegetable 
dishes, cups, saucers, plates, pin-boxes, jewel-cases, card-receivers, ash 
cups and tobacco jars. 

One of the most interesting industries is the utili/,ati(in of the 
Philippine fresh-water mussel to produce pearls and pearl-covered 
ornaments at will. This mn.ssel exceeds even the oyster in the quan- 
tity though not the quality of the liquor which, by evaporation or 
separation, produces mother-of-pearl. The introduction of a bit of sand 
into the mussel will result in the production of a pearl in a few weeks, 
poor in quality of course, but still a pearl. Little images are placed in 
the mussel in the same way and taken out to be sold after they are 
coated with pearl. The images thus obtained are sold to Buddhists, 
who treasure them as excellent representations of their great teacher. 

Shell Window Panes. 

The preparation of window ]ianes frdin Ihe flat Manila oyster shells 
is a large trade among the mitives. The shells are si)li( and cut into 



COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 267 

small squares and other regular shapes, forming an excellent substi- 
tute for glass. Thej' shut out, perhaps, half the light, which is not an 
objection in such a climate, and in addition have the quality of mica of 
shutting out all of the heat. When fiue qualities of shell are employed, 
the resulting tints are truly beautiful, offering a suggestion of genu- 
ine opalescence. On other varieties of shells exquisite engraving is 
done in low relief, representing landscapes and figures, with a most 
beautiful display of delicate tints over the whole. Cowrie shells, cats- 
eyes, little images of native figures and shell cameos are various phases 
of the native shell industry. 

In the forests and fields the Filipinos find many of their local 
industries. The bamboo is as valuable to them as it always is to the 
natives wherever it grows, becoming almost absolutely indispensable. 
It furnishes him with frame, siding, and sometimes even roofing for his 
house, and from it he fashions rafts, out-riggers for his boats, sledges, 
agricultural implements of many sorts, lance .shafts, bows, bow strings, 
arrows, spoons, forks, fish traps, water pipes, cups, fences, bridges, 
musical instruments and almost anything else that he needs. The areka 
palm, which grows near the native houses, produces the nuts so much 
used for chewing. From 200 to SOO nuts per year will grow on a single 
tree, the local demand for them providing occupation for many na- 
tives, and they are used somewhat in Europe for manufacturing a 
dentifrice. 

The cacao tree, which produces the chocolate bean, has flourished 
in the Philippines since it was imported from Mexico early in the seven- 
teenth century. The rich seeds are borne in large fleshy pods. Bushes 
are raised from the bean and bear the fourth year, reaching maturity 
two years later, by which time they have attained a height of about 
ten feet. The beans find ready sale for home consumption, but the 
industry has not yet reached a commercial status. 

Raising Cocoanuts for Market. 

The cocoanut palm flourishes throughout the Philippine islands, 
often growing in soil too poor to produce anything else. Trees come 
to bearing in six or seven years, and yield on an average twenty nuts 
per month. The ripe fruit is made into large rafts and floated to mar- 
ket, wherever possible, but when waterways are lacking it must be 



268 COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

baviled on buffalo sledges. There is a stead}- local demand for the oil, 
which is the illuininant almost invariably used by the natives and is 
sometimes used in jtlace of lard for cooking purposes. Coi)ra, as the 
dried meats of the nut are called, is exported in considerable quantity 
to Europe. Copra is used for making tine soaps and cosmetics. 

The castor oil beau grows wild on many of the islands, and its oil 
is extracted in a small way for the local trade. It is not an article of 
export. A species of tree cotton grows wild on many of the islands. 
The liber is too short to be of value for weaving, but it is used for 
stuffing pillows and like purposes. Long-staple cotton was at one 
time successfully raised in Ilocos, but its cultivation was discouraged 
by the authorities, who preferred to have the natives grow tobacco. 

Corn is raised as a staple food article in some of the central and 
southern districts, esjjeciallj- in Cebu. On good land it yields about 
two hundred fold and three crops can be grown in a year. The demand 
for it is quite limited, as many of the natives Avill not eat it. Potatoes 
are grown in Cebu, Negros and Luzon. Those thus far produced are 
very small. There is a good demand for them and the price is higii. 

Rattan is very abundant and like bamboo is put to a thousand 
uses. Its stems are of uniform diameter, grow to enormous lengtli 
and are very strong. They are used in place of ropes and cables or 
are split and employed for tying together the parts of house-frames, 
canoes, fences, carts, sledges, and agricultural implements, as well 
as for binding hemp bales and sugar sacks. Split rattan is also used 
in bed making and chair seating. Demand for it is steady and many 
natives earn a living by cutting, splitting and marketing it. 

The Eice Industry. 

The staple food of the common people is rice, and they are quite 
successful in raising it. In former years considerable quantities of rice 
were exported to China, but at present the crop is insufficient for the 
home consumption. There are more than tAventy different kinds of 
paddy. They may be roughly divided into two classes, the lowland 
rice and the highland rice. The former grows on alluvial soil under 
water. The fields where it is raised are divided into small plots sur- 
rounded by mud banks for the better control of the water snjiply. Tlie 
grain is sown on the seeding plot to sprout, and when it has reached 



COMMERCL\L AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 269 

proper height is transplanted to the flood fields. As a rule but one crop 
per year is obtained, the yield varying from fifty to a hundred fold. 
The highland rice is of inferior quality, but grows without irrigation. 
The yield is about half as much as the other, but two or three crops 
can be raised in a year. 

The methods used in rice culture and harvest are of the crudest. 
The grouml is prepared for the lowland rice by flooding it and working 
it with muck rakes drawn by carabaos. The young rice shoots are 
stuck in by hand and the ripe heads of grain are often cut one at a time 
with a small knife blade, though sickles are sometimes used. Threshing 
is usually accomplished under the feet of women or cattle, more rarely 
by means of w-ooden flails. The grain is freed from the husk by pound- 
ing in a wooden mortar and flat baskets are used for winnowing. Very 
rarely one finds simple home-made machinery for pounding or winnow- 
ing grain, but there is nothing of the sort in general use. 

The manufacture of hemp and of hemp-rope is partly native and 
partly Spanish. The natives had learned the virtues of hemp long 
before the Spanish discovery of the islands. They made an excellent 
rope, employing nearly all of the methods that are used to-day in 
that manufacture. Besides twisting the threads, the cords and the 
strands, they also braided them and with the braids in turn made 
strands by twisting and a second braiding. The braided ropes were 
often quite flat and were practically straps. They are still utilized as 
harness for their ponies and buffaloes and for rigging upon their primi- 
tive water cart. The same hempen straps are used for the making of 
sandals and rude rugs and for nearly every purpose to which the leather 
thong or strap is put hj savage races. Although the native ropes are 
inferior to those made by Europeans or under European direction, 
they are strong, durable and extremely cheap, costing only a third to 
a fifth of the more finished product. At one time these native styles 
af cordage might be considered as part of the commercial industry of 
the country, but the exorbitant export duties and internal taxation 
crushed out the native enterprise. 

How to Reach the Philippines. 

It is a journey of more than a month to reach the Philippines from 
the United States, by the methods of travel heretofore existing. The 



270 COMMERCIAL AND NATIVE INDUSTRIES. 

only fommunicatiou they have had by regular passenger lines with 
the ports of Asia is b}' steamers running between Hong Kong, Amoy 
and Manila. Then there was a Spanish line sailing directly from Spain 
and touching at Singapore. Ilong Kong is the usual port of sailing 
for Manila, so that it remains for the prospective traveler to reach Ilong 
Kong, either by way of San Francisco or the Suez canal, as suits him 
best. The journey eastward is ten days longer than that westward. 
No doubt a direct line from San Francisco to Manila, via Honolulu, 
will be established in the near future, but until that time comes one 
must depend on the older steamship companies. 








J. M. SEYBA 

Aguinaldo's private secretary, who returned with him from 
Hong Kong to Cavite. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
AGUINALDO, THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 

Personality and Career of the Most Notable Man in the Philippines — The Last 
Insurrection Against the Spanish and How It Terminated — Bribery 
and the Consequences — Varying Opinions of Aguinaldo — A Word 
About the American Consuls — Relations with Army and Navy — Gen- 
eral Merritt and the Filii)ino Administration. 

It is doiibtful whether even the name of the leader of the Filipino 
rebels against the Spaniards was known to a dozen persons in the 
United States until it became familiar in the days of Dewey's occu- 
pancy of Manila bay. His title in full, as used by himself, is Don 
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy, President of the Revolutionai-y Government 
of the Philippines and General-in-chief of the Army, but his signature 
is usually the single word by which he is known to us. Although we 
knew little of the progress of the insurrection against Spanish rule 
jn the Philippines prior to the ai-rival of Admiral Dewey, the Filipinos 
were making histoiy for their islands long before that time, and their 
leader did not reach his position of eminence by accident, but by his 
own energies and abilities. 

For a long time the native inhabitants of the Philippine islands had 
been restless under the oppressive yoke of Spanish cruelty. Finally, 
under the advice of the organized Junta Patriotica an insurrection was 
begun, the principal strength of which was centered in the island of 
Luzon, as a threat against the city of Manila, the seat of Spanish gov- 
ernment, and in the island of Panay, in which is situated the city of 
Iloilo, second in commercial importance in the archipelago. 

Spanish "Pacification" of the Filipinos. 

Emilio Aguinaldo, now about 29 years old, is a man of an intel- 
ligence far beyond that of most of his people. lie comes of a good 
family in the province of Cavite, near Manila, where he was educated 
and where he entered the bar. He joined the insurgents immediately 

273 



274 AC.riXALlX), THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 

after tlu' outhivak of the rebellion in the latter part of 1S96, but it was 
not until after the execution of Dr. Kizal that he became one of the 
leaders of the revolt. The blockade maintained bj the Spanish squad- 
ron in rhili])iiine waters against the importation of arms for the in- 
surgents gradually drove the Filipinos to the wall, and in December, 
1897, the celebrated "pacification" of the islands was negotiated, the 
go-between being Sefior Pedro Paterno, director of the Manila museum, 
a Filipino who had remained at least passivelj' loyal to the Spaniards. 
The Filiplna junta at this time was composed of Emilio Aguinaldo, who 
exercised such executive powers as were possible to so feeble an organi- 
zation; Sefior Artacho, home secretary; Seiior Montenogi'o, foreign sec- 
retary; Vito Bilarmino, war secretarj^, and Baldomero Aguinaldo, secre- 
tary of the treasury. 

The so-called "pacification" consisted in a purchase of the insurgent 
leaders for the sum of S800,000 (Mexican), equal to about §400,000 in 
gold. Aguinaldo and his associates agreed to surrender all the arms 
in the possession of the natives and to quit the archipelago, remain- 
ing awa}' at the pleasure of the Spanish government, and to use their 
utmost influence to disband and disarm all the insurgent forces. Aguin- 
aldo was to go to Hong Kong to receive the first installment of the 
Spanish money, amounting to §400,000 (ilexican), and he was then to 
cable to Artacho, who surrendered himself to the captain-general as a 
hostage. On receiving Aguinaldo's cable message that the money had 
been paid Artacho was to dissolve the insurgent organization, disband 
the troops and give up their arms. This part of the programme was 
carried out in December, 1807, or the early part of January, 1898, and the 
treaty of Biyak was signed Avith great solemnity. Then came the time 
to test the sincerity of the parties to the agreement. 

The facts seem to show that Spain followed exactly the course that 
she followed in Cuba in 1S7S to terminate the Ten Years' War. The pro- 
gramme as carried ont in each case provided, first, for the bribing of the 
insurgent leaders to use their influence for peace; second, the promising 
of whatever reforms were necessary to induce the insurgent armies to 
cease fighting; third, the immediate punishment of all the insurgent 
leaders on whom they could get their hands as soon as peace was 
actually established and matters in their own hands; fourth, the re- 
newed and redoubled severity of treatment to the pacified colony; and 
fifth, the utter ignoring and repudiation of every detail of the seductive 



AGUINALDO, THE LEADER OF THE EILIPINOH. 275 

promises they had made. A uatural consequence of this chain of cir- 
cumstances was the renewal of insurrection in each case by the de- 
ceived insurgents, as soon as new equipment and new organization 
could be arranged. 

Reforms Promised by the Spanish, 

By the terms of the treaty an armistice of three years was estab- 
lished and the natives were to lay down their arms and turn them over 
to the Spanish authorities. The Spanish authorities on their part bound 
themselves to grant certain reforms, of which the most important were 
the restriction of the power of the religious orders, the representation 
of the Filipinos in the Spanish Cortes, the future impartiality of 
justice and law between Spaniards and natives in the Philippines, 
the participation of natives in the oifice-holding of the islands, and tlie 
liberty of the press. It was agreed that the governor-general of the 
islands, General Primo de Rivera, should remain in that position 
throughout the three years of the armistice as a guarantee that the 
reforms would be established, and that a general amnesty should be 
proclaimed. 

The Spanish authorities were so far from carrying out their agree- 
ments that it would seem almost as if they had studiously endeavored 
to go as far as possible from the terms of the treaty and for the further 
irritation of the Filipinos. In the first place, General Rivera was re- 
moved from his post very soon, thus withdrawing from the islands the 
one who would haA'e been best informed on the demands of the natives. 
The general amnesty was never declared, although a few pardons were 
given. Instead of establishing the reforms, the very things that were 
most irritating to the insurgents were aggravated. The religious orders 
were given increased power, two vacant bishoprics being filled at once 
by priests of the very orders that were the first cause of the insurrection. 
In the short time intervening between the signature of the treaty and 
the removal of General Rivera from Manila, he denied the existence of 
the agreement and executed many of the very persons whom he had prom- 
ised to protect, endeavoring by this means to destroy the nucleus of the 
revolution. In Spain he was given the decoration of the grand cross 
of San Fernando, as a reward for the peace he had established. By all 
of these things the Filipinos believed themselves absolved from anv 



27C AGUIXALDO, THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 

dbligation to Spaiu that had been assumed by the mutual agreements 
iududed in the treaty. 

General Greene's Opinion of Agiiinaldo. 

It is interesting to note what General Francis V. Greene of the 
United States army in the Philippines thought of the bribery phase of 
the affair and of Aguiualdo. In his official report to the secretary of 
war, dated August 30, 1898, he says: 

"Aguinaldo and his associates went to ITong Koug and Singapore. 
A portion of the money, §400,000, was deposited in banks at ITong Kong, 
and a lawsuit soon arose between Aguinaldo and one of his subordinate 
chiefs named Artacho, which is interesting on account of the very hon- 
orable position taken by Aguinaldo. Artacho sued for a division of the 
money among the insurgents according to rank. Aguinaldo claimed 
that the money was a trust fund, and was to remain on deposit until it 
was seen whether the Spaniards would carry out their promised re- 
forms, and if they failed to do so, it was to be used to defray the expenses 
of a new insurrection. The suit was settled out of court bj' paying 
Artacho |5,000. ^"o steps have been taken to introduce the reforms. 
More than 2,000 insurgents who had been deported to Fernando Po and 
other places are still in confinement, and Aguinaldo is now using the 
money to cari-j' on the operations of the present insurrection." 

General Whitlier's statement shows that Aguinaldo even refused l<i 
take money for his personal expenses when asked to return to Mauihi, 
by the American consul at Singapore, Spencer Pratt, who offered him 
money for that purpose. 

Aguinaldo and the American Consuls. 

The reports of these two officers were evidently made before they 
had carefully investigated the facts. Aguinaldo was on his way to 
Europe with the lion's share of the bribe money, when news of the prob- 
ability of war between the United States and Spain reached liim in 
Singapore, where he remained to see whether the Filipinos might not 
prolit by Spain's difficulties. It was then that occurred the negotiations 
Avith our worthy representative. Consul Pratt, which, Aguinaldo now 
claims, in part justify his assertion that the United States made an 



AGUINALDO. THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 277 

alliance with him by which he was to assist in expelling the Spaniards 
from the Philippines, and in return the United States was to recog- 
nize the independence of the Filipino republic. It is, of course, impos- 
sible to tell how big a fool an American consul is capable of being, but 
developments at Singapore and Hong Kong lead to the belief that the 
record was advanced a long distance. No one need suppose, however, 
that Seilor Aguinaldo was deceived as to the authority' of a mere consul 
to bind our government. He is altogether too shrewd and too well read 
ti) have any illusions, though of coui'se now it suits his game to set up 
the claim that his return to Cavite was due to the solicitations and agree- 
ments of our consular representatives. 

To show how well he has studied the situation let me recall a con- 
versation he had with General Anderson, who commanded the first de- 
tachment of our troops that landed at Cavite June 30 last. It should 
be remembered that Aguinaldo had probably never regarded the United 
States as anything more than a geographical expression until within 
five months preceding this conversation, for no one had ever thought 
of the possibility of our interference with the future of the Philippine 
archipelago. 

Aguinaldo at his second or third meeting with General Anderson 
asked him point-blank whether the United States had any intention of 
treating the Philippines as colonies. As General Anderson had no 
orders and no authority to reveal the policy of his government he replied 
that he could not answer that question; but, he added, the United States 
had been a nation for more than 120 years without colonies, and Aguin- 
aldo could judge for himself whether our government would try to 
colonize a distant territory at this late day. "That is true," replied 
Aguinaldo, "and besides I haA^e read the constitution of the United 
States very carefully, and I cannot find in it any provision for colonies." 

As I said before, no one need imagine that Senor Aguinaldo was 
under any hallucination as to the powers of a consul to pledge the faith 
of his government. It is probable that he knew the duties and limita- 
tions of our amateur diplomats in Singapore and Hong Kong even better 
than they did. 

No Filipino Pilot Aboard the Olympia. 

When it was evident that war was only a question of days Aguinaldo 
went from Singapore to Hong Kong, hoping to arrive in time to see 



278 AGUINALDO, TDE LEADER OF THE FILIPJNOS. 

Commodore Dewey, but he was several days too late. As there are peo- 
ple who confidently assert that Aguiualdo piloted Commodore Dewe^^'s 
flagship into Manila bay the night before the battle it may be as well 
to say that neither Aguinaldo nor any other Filipino was on board the 
Olj'mpia at that time, ihjreover, the only one of his followers with the 
fleet was a man whom the eommodore intended to use a.s an interpreter 
in case he should fall in with any Filipino fishermen from whom 
he might want to get information before entering Manila bay. Three of 
these men— Teodoro Sandico, A. G. Medina and T. Alejandrino — came 
off to the fleet before the commodore sailed from Mirs bay, and one of 
them was taken aboard the storeship Zafiro. As this vessel was the 
last vessel in the line on entering Manila bay he was not in a position 
to do any jjiloting even if he had been capable of such work, which he 
was not. 

On May 17, however, after Aguiualdo and his followers had haunted 
the American consulate in Hong Kong morning, noon and night for 
many days, Consul-General Wildmau sent them all aboard the McCui- 
luch and they went to Manila bay. It was distinctly understood by 
Aguinaldo that Admiral Dewey assumed no authority over and no re- 
sponsibility for Lis actions, and that the object striven for was solely 
the defeat and expulsion of the Spaniards. 

As I accompanied him from Ilong Kong and was able to be of some 
service to him, I was received at his heathiuarters with great cordiality 
until after the arrival of the first detachment of troops. 

Admiral Dewey put him ashore in Cavite, gave him a great deal of 
ammunition and a few cannon, and he started to work. His cami)aigu 
was wonderful and Admiral Dewey was greatly pleased. 

Aguiualdo took possession of one of the abandoned houses in Cavite, 
and at first he acted with great good judgment and simplicity. 
In a day or two the natives flocked into Cavite in droves, and as a siiinll 
steamer arrived from Hong Kong, laden with arms and ammunition, in 
a week there were more than 1,000 men ready to take the field against 
the Sjianiards in Cavite i)roviiu-e. 

Major-General Merritt and Aguinaldo. 

When tlu- Aincriran army caiiic Aguinaldo was crowded out of 
Cavite, and there began to be friitinn. (leneral Merritt's an-ival in- 
crea.sed that friction and ,\guina1dn ((luiplained of the way he was being 



AGUIIS'ALDO, THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 279 

treated, expressing considerable bitterness because of the manners of 
the American soldiers. 

That marked the point where Aguinaldo came to be popularly re- 
garded as an ambitious, designing enemy to be mistrusted, and the in- 
surgent light for independence became Aguinaldoism. 

Major-Ueneral Merritt's report of the relations between his army 
and the Filipinos, of date August 31, was as follows: 

"As General Aguinaldo did not visit me on my arrival nor offer his 
services as a subordinate military leader, and as my instructions from 
the president fully contemplated the occupation of the islands by the 
American land forces and stated that 'the powers of the military occu- 
pant are absolute and supreme, and immediately operate upon the po- 
litical condition of the inhabitants,' I did not consider it wise to hold 
any direct communication with the insurgent leader until I should be 
in possession of the city of Manila, especially as I would not until then 
be in a position to issue a proclamation and enforce my authority, in the 
event that his pretensions should clash with my designs. 

"For these reasons the preparations for the attack on the city were 
pressed and military operations conducted without reference to the 
situation of the insurgent forces. The wisdom of this course was subse- 
quently fully established by the fact that when the troops of my com- 
mand carried the Spanish intrenchments, extending from the sea to the 
Pasay road on the extreme Spanish right, we were under no obligations 
by prearranged plans of mutual attack to turn to the right and clear the 
front still held against the insurgents, but were able to move forward 
at once and occupy the city and suburbs. 

"To return to the situation of General Greene's brigade as I found 
it on my amval. It will be seen that the difficulty in gaining an avenue 
of approach to the Spanish line lay in the fact of my disinclination to 
ask General Aguinaldo to withdraw from the beach and the 'Calle Real ' 
so that Greene could move fon\-ard. This was overcome by instruction's 
to General Greene to arrange, if possible, with the insurgent brigade 
commander in his immediate vicinity to move to the right and allow the 
American forces unobstructed control of the roads in their immediate 
front. No objection was made and accordingly General Greene's bri- 
gade threw forward a heavy outpost line on the 'Calle Real' and the 
beach and constructed a trench, in which a portion of the guns of the 
Utah battery was placed." 



280 AGUINALDO, THE LEADER OF TUE FIMPIXOS. 

After reporting- Hie ck'tails of the lakiii';- of Mauila, (Jcncral Merritt 
continued: 

"Aftei" the issue of my iiroe-laniation and the estahlishnieut of m.v 
office as military governor, I had direct written communication with 
General Aguinaldo on several occasions. He recognized my authority as 
military governor of the town of Manila and suburbs and made profes- 
sions of his willingness to withdraw his troops to a line which 1 might 
indicate, but at the same time asking certain favors for himself. The 
matters in this connection had not been settled at the date of ni}- depar- 
ture. Doubtless much dissatisfaction is felt by the rank and file of the 
insurgents that they have not been permitted to enjoy the occupancy of 
Manila, and there is some ground for trouble w'ith them owing to that 
fact, but, notwithstanding many rumors to the contrary, I am of the 
opinion that the leaders will be able to prevent serious disturbances, as 
they are sufficiently intelligent and educated to know that to antagonize 
the United States would be to destroy their only chance of future politi- 
cal improvement." 

President McKinley Instructs General Merritt. 

The relation between the army and the Filipinos that was desired 
by the administration at Washington is outlined in the order sent to 
General Merritt regarding the occupation of the city of Manila, as soon 
as word of the capture was received in the United States. The order 
was as follows: 

"Adjutant-General's Office, AYashiiigtou, I). ('., Aug. 17, 1898. — 
Major-General Merritt, Manila, Philippines: The president directs that 
there must bo no joint occupation with the insurgents. The United 
States, in the possession of Manila city, JIanila bay and harbor, must 
preserve the peace and j)rotect ])erson and property within the territory 
occupied by their military and naval forces. The insurgents and all 
others must recognize the military occupation and authority ot the 
United States and the cessation of hostilities proclaimed by the presi- 
dent. Use whatever means in your judgment are necessary to this end. 
All law-abiding people must be treated alike. By order secretary of 
war. II. C. eOKBIN, 

"Adjutant-General." 



AGUl^'ALDO, THE i.lAliKK OF THE FII,I TIXOS 2 i 

Let us retuiu again to the pi'dgretss (jf siil-Li goveiiiuieiit as the Fili- 
pinos were able to form and to tiieir operations against tlie Spauisii 
before Manila, prior to thfe American talcing of the city. 



Dictatorial Government of the Filipinos, 

On the 18th of June Aguinaklo issued a proclamation from Cavite 
establishing a dictatorial government with himself as dictator. In each 
^ illage or pueblo a chief was to be elected, and in each ward a nendrum; 
also in each pueblo three delegates, one of police, one of justice, and 
one of taxes. These were to constitute the junta, or assembly-, and after 
consulting the junta the chiefs of pueblos were to elect a chief of 
province and three counsellors, one of police, one of justice, and one of 
taxes. They were also to elect one or more representatives from each 
province to form the revolutionary congress. This was followed on 
June 20 by a decree giving more detailed instructions in regard to the 
elections. 

On June 23 another decree followed, changing the title of the govern- 
ment from dictatorial to revolutionary, and of the chief officer from dic- 
tator to president; announcing a cabinet witli a minister of foreign 
affairs, marine and commerce, another of war and public works, another 
of police and internal order, justice, instruction and hygiene, and an- 
otlier of taxes, agriculture and manufactures; the powers of tJie presi- 
dent and congress were defined, and a code of military justice was for- 
mulated. On the same date a manifesto was issued to the world explain- 
ing the reasons and purposes of the revolution. On June 27 another 
decree was issued containing instructions in regard to elections. On 
August an address Avas issued to foi^eign governments, stating that 
tlie revolutionary government was in operation and control in fifteen 
provinces, and that in response to the petition of the duly elected chiefs 
of these provinces, recognition of belligerency and independence was 
requested. 

In this address it was announced that the revolutionary govern- 
ment had the city of Manila besieged. Order and tranquillity reigned. 
Nine thousand prisoners of war were held by the insurgents, and an 
army of 30,000 was declared to be under arms. 



282 AULINALDO, THE LEADER OF THE FILIl'INOS. 



Status of the Filipino Administration. 

In the proviuc'e of Cavite and that portion of the provinro of Manila 
outside of the citj' and its suburbs, that was occupied by the insurgent 
troops as well as those of the United States, their military 
forces, military headquarters, etc., were very much in evidence, occu- 
pying the principal houses and churches in every village and hamlet, 
but there were no signs of civil government or administration. It Avas 
reported, however, that Aguiualdo's agents were levying taxes or forced 
contributions not only in the outside villages, but (after the Americans 
entered Manila) by means of secret agents, in the market place of the 
citv itself. At Aguiualdo's headquarters, in I'akor, there were signs 
of activity and business, and his cabinet ollicers were in constant ses- 
sion there. 

Aguinaldo never himself failed to claim all the prerogatives due to 
his alleged position as the de facto ruler of the country. The only 
general officer who saw him or had any direct communication with him 
was General Anderson, lie did much to thwart this officer in organiz- 
ing a native wagon train and otlienvise providing for his troops, and he 
went so far, in a letter of July 23, as to warn Oeneral Anderson not to 
land Auu-rican troops on Philippine soil without his consent — a notice 
which, it is hardly necessary to say, was ignored. The day before the 
attack on Manila, he sent staff officers to the same general, asking for 
the American ])hnis of attack, so that their troojts coubl entci' Maniln 
with them. 

Merritt and Aguinaldo Meet. 

Aguinaldo did not call upon deneral Merritt upon his arrival, and 
this enabled the latter lo avoid any communication with him, either 
direct or indirect, until after Manila had been taken, (leueral Merritt 
then received one of Aguiualdo's staff officers in his office as military 
governor. The interview lasted more than an hour, (leneral Merritt 
referred to his pnndamation as showing the conditions under which 
the American troops had conu' to Manila and the nature of the military 
government, which would bi' niaiutained until further orders from 
Washington. He agreed upon tiic lines outside of the city of Manila, 



AGUIXALDO, THE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 283 

up to which the insurgent troops could come, but no further, with arms 
in tiieir hands. lie asked for possession of tlie water works, which was 
given, and, while expressing friendship and sympathy for the Philip- 
Iiine people, he stated very positively that the United States govern- 
ment had placed at his disposal an ample force for carrying out his in- 
structions, and even if the services of Aguinaldo's forces had been 
needed as allies he should not have felt at liberty to accept them. 

From the first it was seen that the problem of how to deal with 
Aguinaldo's government and troops would necessarily be accompanied 
by embarrassment and difficulty, and would require much tact and 
skill in its solution. The United States government, through its naval 
commander, had to some extent made use of them for a distinct mili- 
tary purpose, to harass and annoy the Spanish troops, to wear them 
out in the trenches, to blockade Manila on the land side, and to do as 
much damage as possible to the Spanish government prior to the 
arrival of our troops, and for this purpose the admiral allowed them 
to take the arms and munitions which he had captured at Cavite, and 
Uieir ships to pass in and out of Manila bay in their expeditions against 
other provinces. But the admiral was very careful to give Aguinaldo 
no assurances of recognition and no pledges nor promises of any descrip- 
tion. The services which Aguinaldo and his adherents rendered in 
preparing the way for attack on Manila were certainly entitled to con- 
sideration, but, after all, they were small in comparison with what was 
done by our fleet and army. 

An American Government in Manila. 

Our army entered Manila on the afternoon of August 13. On the 
14th the capitulation was signied, and the same day General Merritt 
issued his proclamation establishing a military government. On the 
l."»th General MacArthur was appointed military commander of the 
walled city and provost-marshal-general of the city of Manila and its 
suburbs, and on the ITth General Greene was appointed to take charge 
of all fiscal affairs and the duties performed by the minister of finance. 
Representatives of the postoffice department had arrived on the steam- 
ship China in July and they immediately took charge of the Manila 
postoffice, which was opened for business on the 16th. The custom 
house was opened on the ISth, with Lieutenant-Colonel Whittier as 
collector, and the internal revenue office, with Major Bement as collector 



284 AGT'IXALDO. TDE LEADER OF THE FILIPINOS. 

on the 22(1. Captain (ilass of the navy was appointed captain of the 
port, or naval ollici'i-, ami took tharj^e of tlu* ollice on Aii<::ust 19th. The 
collections of cnstonis ilnring the first ten days exceeded $100,000. The 
collections of internal revenue were small owin<j: to the difliculty and 
delay in ascertaining what persons had or had not paid their taxes for 
the current year. The administration of water works was put in charge 
of Lieutenant Connor, of the engineers, on August 25; the provost court 
with Lieutenant-Colonel Jewett, judge advocate I'nited States volun- 
teers, sitting as judge, was appointeil and held its first session on 
August 23. 

The provost-niaislial-giMicral liad rliarge <if ilie piilic(>, fire, health 
and street cleaning dt'jiartnu'nts, and the issuing of licen.ses. The 
guardia civil, or gendarmerie of the city, proving indilTerent and inef- 
ficient, were disarmed and di-sljauded; the 13th Minnesota regiment 
was detailed for police <luty. One or more companies were stationed 
in each police station, from which patrolmen were sent out on the 
streets to take the place of the sentries wliu hail constantly p;itrolled 
them from the hour of entering the city. 

Kesuming Business in the City. 

The shops were all closed on Saturday afternoon, the l.'iili; on 
Monday some of them opened, and by Wednesday the banks iiad ri'sumed 
business, the newspajiers were ])nblislied, and the merdianis were ready 
to declare goods at the custom house; the tram cars were running and 
the retail shops were all open and doing a large business. There was 
no disorder imr pillage of any kind in the city. The conduct of the troops 
was simidy admirable, and left no ground for criticism. It was noted 
and commented upon by the fcu'eign naval oHIcims in the most favorable 
terms, and it so surjirised tiie Spanish soldiers that a considerable num- 
bei- iif lliem ajiplied for ])erniission to enlist in the .\merican ser\ice. 

A total of about .?[I00,000 of public funds belonging to the various 
government departments was taken in charge by Ceneral (ireene to 
bea])]»lied iirojierly in ])nblic service. 

General Merritt's Proclamation to the Filipinos. 

On the day after the taking of Manila. .Major-* ieneial Mei-ritt issued 
the following proclamation to the Filipinos: 



AGUIiNALDO, THE LEADER OP THE FH^IPINOS. 285 

"Ueadquarters Departracut of the Pacifif, August 14, 1S98. 
"To the People of the Philippines: 

"I. War has existed between the United Stale's and Spain since 
April 21 of this year. Since that date you have witnessed the destruc- 
tiom by an American lleet of the Spanish naval poAver in these islands, 
the fall of the jtriucipal city, Manila, and its defenses, and the surren- 
der of the Spanish arniy of occupation to the forces of the United 
States. 

"II. The commander of the United States forces now in posse:-.sion 
has instructions from his government to assure the people that lie has 
not come to wage war upon them, or upon any part or faction among 
them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments, and 
in their personal and religious rights. All persons who, by active aid 
or honest submission, co-operate with the United States in its efforts 
to give effect to this beneficent purpose, will receive the reward of its 
support and protection. 

"III. The gOA-ernment established among you by the United States 
is a government of military occupation; and for the present it is or- 
dered that the municipal laws such as affect private rights of persons 
and property-, regulate local institutions, and provide for the punish- 
ment of crime, shall be considered as continuing in force, so far as 
compatible with the purposes of military government, and that they be 
administered through the ordinary tribunals substantially as before 
occupation, but bj- ofiftcials appointed by the government of occupation. 

Duties of the Provost Guard. 

"IV. A provost-marshal-general will be appointed for the city of 
Manila and its outlying districts. This territory will be divided into 
sub-districts, and there Avill be assigned to each a deputy-provost- 
marshal. The duties of the provost-marshal-general and his deputies 
will be set forth in detail in future orders. In a general A^-ay they are 
charged with the duty of making arrests of military, as well as civil 
offenders, sending such of the former class as are triable by courts-mar- 
tial to their proper commands, with statements of tlieir offenses and 
names of witnesses, and detaining in custody all other offenders for trial 
by military commission, provost courts, or native criminal courts, in ac- 
cordance with law and the instructions hereafter to be issued. 



286 AGUINALDO. THE LKADKH OV TIIK FILIPINOS. 

"V. The port of Miiiiila, aud all otliiT poii.s and plaoos in the 
riiilippines which may be in the actual possession of our land and 
naval forces, will be o])en, while our military occupation may continue, 
to the commerce of all neutral nations as well as our own in articles not 
contraband of war, and upon payment of tlie prescribed rates of duty 
which may be in force at the lime of tlie importation. 

"VI. All churches and places devoted to relij;ious worship and 
to the arts and sciences, all educational institutions, libraries, scientitic 
collections, and museums are, so far as possible, to be protected; and 
all destruction or intentional defacement of such places or property, 
of historical monuments, archives, or works of science aud art, is pro- 
hibited, save when required by urgent military necessity. Severe pun- 
ishment will be meted out for all violations of this regulation. 

"The custodians of all property of the character mentioned in this 
section will make prompt returns thereof to these headquarters, stating 
character aud location, and embodying such recommeudations as they 
may think i)roper for the full protection of the properties under their 
care and custody, that proper orders may issue enjoining the co-opera- 
tion of both military and civil authorities in securing such protection. 

'•VI. The commanding general, in announcing the establishment of 
military government, and in entering upon his duty as military gover- 
nor in pursuance of his appointment as such by the government of the 
I'nited States, desires to assure the people that so long as they preserve 
the peace and perform their duties toward the representatives of the 
United States they will not be disturbed in their persons and prop- 
erty, except in so far as may be found necessary for the good of the 
service of the United States and the benelit of the jieople of the Philip- 
pines, 

'•WESLEY MEl.'KITT, 

"Major-General, United States Army, Commanding." 
The forces of the United States were in possession of the harbor and 
city of Manila and the adjacent shores. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

( 'omplicatioua Are Thrt-ateued from the Kegiuniu<; — The Germans and the 
Insurgents — Afl'air of tlie Steamer Filipinas — Recognizing the Insur- 
gent Flag — How Dewey Dealt with Aguinaldo — Aguinaldo and His 
Forces Required to Leave Manila — Picturesque March Through the 
City — Filipino Congress in Session at Malolos. 

Although the open rupture in peaceable relations between Filipinos 
and Americans before Manila did not occur till mouths later, there were 
frequent incidents in the earlier weeks of the American occupation 
which warned all parties that something might happen at almost any- 
time. Even before the army came, while Dewey was entirely in charge 
of the situation, some things required deft handling, and from the 
moment the troops arrived, complications began to multiply. Some- 
times it was the position taken by the Germans which threatened diffi- 
culty and sometimes the Filipinos themselves did not do just what was 
needed to insure harmony. 

The Germans and the Filipinos. 

Early in July the Gei'man cruiser Irene stopped the insurgent 
steamer Filipinas and threatened to bring her and her crew to Manila 
as prisoners if she did not haul down the insurgent flag at once and hoist 
a white flag. The Filipinas, a steamer of about 700 tons, loaded with a 
half cargo of tobacco, was in hiding in the coves around Subig bay. She 
was owned and officered by Spaniards, but her crew was a native one. 
The crew mutinied and killed the twelve officers. They then took charge 
of the ship and hoisted the insurgent flag. 

On the shore of Subig baj', and chiefly in the town of Subig, were 400 
^'panish soldiers. As the insurgent forces on the land began to close in 
on them they fled in a body to the Isla de Grande, near the mouth of 
Subig bay. They took with them 100 sick and about 100 women. They 

287 



288 FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

retained their small arms and had onl^- one Maxim gun. The insurgents 
hoped to starve them into submission. About this time the Filipiuas 
incident occurred, whereby she i)assed from the Spanish to the insur- 
gents. Two hundred insurgent soldiers took the ship and approached 
the island and fired on the Spaniards. Their firing was ineffective, but 
after awhile the Spaniards, probably realizing the ultimate hopelessness 
of their position, hoisted the white flag. At almost the same time the 
German cruiser approached from within the bay and the Spaniards 
hauled down the white flag, for they evidently had reason to hope for 
interference by the Germans. The German ship at once advanced to tiie 
Filipinas and said that the flag she flew was not recognized, and if it 
were not at once hauled down and a white one substituted she 
would be taken with her crew to Manila as prisoners. The Filipinas at 
once hauled down the insurgent flag, hoisted the white one and started 
immediately south to Manila baj-. All this happened July (i. She ar- 
rived off the American flagship late in the evening and the insurgents at 
once reported the matter to the admiral. 

Admiral Dewey sent the insurgent ship into a safe anchorage. At 12 
o clock midnight the Raleigh and Concord quietly lidve up their anchors 
and h'ft the bay. They steamed at once to Subig bay and flred several 
times on the Spaniards, who promptly surrendered. The Irene had dis- 
appeared just before our cruisers arrived, although she had been in 
Subig bay for several days for the expressed jnirpose of protecting Ger- 
man interests said to be located there. The Concord then returned to 
report to Admiral Dewey and lind out what should be done with the 
COO Spaniards captured. The Raleigh remained at Subig on guard. Dur- 
ing the 7th the insurgent leader, Mr. Leyba, came out to the flagship for 
permission to take the Filipinas and go to Subig for the purpose of cap- 
turing the island. The admiral told him that it had ali-eady been done. 
Leyba went aboard the Filipinas witli a strong forc(> of men and left the 
harbor. 

The Concord, when she returned to report the matter to the admiral, 
bore a letter from Cajitain Coghlan of the Raleigh begging that the 
Sjjaniards captured be made American prisoners, and that the,y be not 
turned over to the insurgents, as Admiral Dewey's original orders de- 
maiuled. The Concord was sent back witli instructions to turn the pris- 
oners over to Aguinaldo, but he exacted an ironclad promise that they 
bliould l)e well cared for. 



PKICTIOX BETWEEK AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 291 



Germans Appear Unfriendly. 

This Irene incident was of tlie most absorbing interest to Americans. 
It was tlie first open move on tlie part of Germany to interfere in 
affairs about Manila, and opinions differ very much as to her right to go 
so far as she did. Strictly according to international law, the Irene was 
right in treating the insurgent steamer as a pirate. Germany had not 
recognized the belligerency of the insurgent cause, had no official recog- 
nition of the flag, and might, under many circumstances, be right in 
stopping a ship with an unknown flag. But the circumstances in the 
case were peculiar. The Germans were allowed to remain in Manila 
bay through the courtesy of Admiral Dewey. They knew that the 
waters around Luzon were practically Amei'ican waters. They knew 
very well that the insurgent flag was flying with the acquiescence of the 
admiral, and that the insurgents had been carrying on extensive opera- 
tions around the island with small steamers flying their own flag. 

Assuming that the Germans were permitted, under strict construc- 
tion of international law, to stop the insurgent steamer and make her fly 
a white flag, their action under existing circumstances was one of delib- 
erate unfriendliness to the Americans. Whether it was proper for the 
insurgent flag to fly in the Philippines exclusively concerned the Amer- 
icans, and such questions of propriety were for Admiral Dewey to 
decide. 

This same point recalls an incident in which recognition of the insur- 
gent flag was involved. The French and German ships refused to allow 
insurgent launches to come beside their ships. One day the Spaniards, 
looking out from Manila, saw one of them stop at the English ship Im- 
mortalite and the occupants go aboard. They at once sent out a hurried 
protest. Why was the launch allowed to land on the English ship? 
They construed the action to imply a recognition of the insurgents' bel- 
ligerency. They demanded an explanation. Captain Chicester at once 
sent word back that he knew his business, and referred them to Admiral 
Dewey. 

The action of the Irene had another significance. For several days 
there had been persistent rumors that Aguinaldo and the Germans 
were intriguing. Aguinaldo, it is claimed, Avas anxious that Germany 
should recognize his belligerency. That two German officers called on 



I>y2 FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

Aguinaldo gave some show of truth to the rumors. It was evideut from 
the Irene incident that their negotiations were not effective, and it 
looked very much as if the Filipinos had been stopped by the Germans 
because Aguinaldo refused to accept the Germans' terms. If Germany 
had recognized Aguinaldo's belligerency and the rebels had captured the 
city, there would have resulted no end of delicate complications. 

How Dewey Dealt with Aguinaldo. 

When Admiral Dewey wanted anything from Aguinaldo he always 
got it, and if the insurgents did anything that didn't please the admiral 
the latter promptly and emphaticallj' called them down. 

Admiral Dewey never wrote a single communication to Aguinaldo, 
sending all his messages orally, and he advised that the military com- 
manders should follow the same course. General Anderson, however, 
wrote several communications, and there sprang up a number of written 
clashes between him and Aguinaldo. General Anderson finally declared 
that further arrangements should be deferred until the arrival of Gen- 
eral Merritt, who would have full instructions regarding the relations 
between America and the insurgents. 

Major Jones, brigade quartermaster, went to see Aguinaldo July 17 
in Bakor, and found it impossible to get an audience. In response to 
the first request to see him word was returned that the general 
was busy. After some time the major once more requested an inter- 
view, and this time was told that the general was asleep. Major Jones 
then sat down and wrote a note that burned the paper. He said that 
in America, when a commanding oliicer was asleep or could not be 
seen, there was a subordinate who would transact business for him. 
He had come over to get 500 ponies, and he had exi)ected the Filipinos 
would assist him to obtain them. The Americans had come to drive 
the Spaniards out of the islands. They were the friends of the Fili- 
pinos, and expected to give them a good government. Aguinaldo sent 
over soon aftcrT\-ard, asking if this was an official communication, ami 
was told by Genei'al Anderson tliat it was. Aguinaldo then sent back 
a polite note, saying that he was ready and eager to give the Americans 
any assistance possible, but that he did not have the ponies that Major 
Jones wanted. He closed his letter by expressing friendship for the 
Americans, for, as he put it, were they not going to drive tlie Spaniards 



FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 293 

out of the island and turn the government over to the Filipinos. Gen- 
eral Anderson, in answer to this, said that he did not understand it 
that way. 

Aguinaldo Wants His Status Defined. 

From the time of the arrival of land forces, Aguinaldo had been 
anxious to know what share in the battle of Manila would be allowed the 
insurgents. He was reluctant to be put aside, and resented the request 
that he evacuate his trenches and permit American soldiers to take 
position there. After that time, when he and his government were 
refused any part in the direction of affairs in Manila and his army 
was turned back when endeavoring to enter the city with the victorious 
Americans, he became more restless under the restraint and complica- 
tions began to arise. 

Correspondent John T. McCutcheon relates graphically the condi- 
tions as they existed up to and including the withdrawal of the Filipino 
forces from the vicinity of the city of Manila. He says in part: 

"When the Americans entered the city the insurgents swarmed in 
after them, looting and pillaging. They established armed barracks 
on the Calle Real in Malate and extensive headquarters in the Calle 
Obst^rvatio. The chief work of the Americans began with the pres- 
ence of the insurgents. The Americans and Spanish were practically 
allied to prevent the insurgents getting into the city. Then came an 
order prohibiting insurgents entering the city armed, and a force of 
about 300 were disarmed by the Americans. This aroused considerable 
feeling, and it was noticed that Aguinaldo, who still had possession of 
the water works, refused to let the water in the city. There then fol- 
lowed a long parley of negotiation, in which Aguinaldo demonstrated 
that his rights as governor-general were just about the same as those 
of General Merritt. The latter had the city, but the former had the 
country. It must have been rather humiliating for the American gov- 
ernor to find himself in a position where he could not direct affairs a 
half-mile beyond the city limits. 

Filipino Leader Demands Consideration. 

"In securing the water works, a number of Aguinaldo's demands 
had to be satisfied. He sent in several conditions which had to be ful- 



294 FHirTloN UETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

filled. Among' them was that his troops should have control and sur- 
veillance of the water works, and as long as the Americans remained 
the water should be supplied through his indulgence, but as soon as the 
Americans left, if the islands were to be reliuquislu'd or given back to 
Spain, he wanted to be in a condition to renew the conflict against the 
Spanish with the same advantages as he had befoi*e the Americans 
came into the city. For the same reason he demanded that the troops 
be allowed to retain their arms until it was definitely decided that the 
Spanish had forever and beyond doubt been banished from control of 
the Philippines. He also wanted a specified number of convents within 
the city to quarter his troops in, he wanted the' Spanish police whom 
Merritt had retained relieved from duty, and he wanted definite lines 
established within which the Americans were to control and beyond 
Avhich he was to control. He demanded that the officers be allowed 
to wear their sidearms when entering the city, that he himself be given 
the governor-general's summer palace at Malacanan, now occupied by 
General Merritt, and that all the products of Filipino labor be allowed 
to leave the islands free of duty. 

Where the Insurgents "Were in Control. 

"Some of these demands were preposterous, but some were reas.in 
able and logical. He had a right to ask the retention of his arms a-< 
long as the ultimate position of the islands was in doubt, so tluit if tlu' 
Spaniards ever regain control he will be prepared to renew his fight. 
The result of his other conditions is in doubt. It is merely known that 
outside Manila Aguiualdo's troops are supreme, and that in some quai'- 
ters Americans ai'e prohibited from going. He also has two sti'ong 
barracks within the city limits, with big bodies of armed troops. 
Within a mile of General MacArthur's headquarters it is estimated 
that there are at least 4,000 armed Filipinos. He also retains control 
of the water works, but allows them to be operated. He has not been 
given a palace in the city, and it is not thought that his products will 
be exempt from duty. The Guardia Civil, which is the local constabu- 
lary, composed of men Avho have served at least eight years in the 
Spanish! army and are past masters of every form of corrujjtion and 
cxtoi-tinu which tiieir long post-graduate course has taught and fitted 
them for, are relieved and Americans assigned to take their places. So 



FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 295 

the matter rests, and will probabl}^ remaiu this way iiutil the disposi- 
tion of the islands is determined." 

When General Otis sent word to the insurgents that they must 
withdraw their forces from Manila and its suburbs there was a settled 
conyiction that trouble would result. The time limit was set at Sep- 
tember 15, and as this time drew near and no movement was manifest 
in the native barracks the American lines were strengthened and 
preparations made for the encounter which then seemed unavoidable. 
On the 14th, however, it was stated. on official authority that the in- 
surgent generals had agreed to move out of the city and to vacate 
the convents and private houses that they had appropriated for their 
military uses. They had gone to General Otis, and after a long con- 
sultation this peaceful solution of the difficulty had been reached. 

With practical unanimity the leaders protested that they were 
entirely friendly to the American forces and that they did not desire 
to do anything which would appear unfriendly. They would willingly 
withdraw their troops from the city provided some assurance were 
given them that if the Americans left the Philippines they, the in- 
surgents, would be left in as strong positions as they had occujjied 
before the city was surrendered. Another point was brought forward 
very strongly which they, said they were exceedingly concerned in know- 
ing. This was whether or not the Spaniards would be placed in their 
former defenses and given the arms that had been surrendered, and 
whether the relative positions of the Spanish and insurgent forces 
would be established as they were before the city was surrendered. 

Ruling Made by Major-General E. S. Otis. 

General Otis told them that if the Americans left the Philippines 
the Spaniards would be restored to their defensive positions and their 
ainns given them. This did not please the insurgents, but they agreed 
that such an action would be just and was to be expected. Some of 
them, notably General Pio del Pilar, a lire-eater who had command 
of the forces at Paco, showed a keen resentment against being sent 
out of the city, and it Avas thought for a time that General Pilar would 
rebel against the acquiescence of the majority. At noon on the 14th 
there was great activity among the insurgents. Officers were riding 
around and numbers of troops were centralizing in the different 



296 FRICTIOK BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

outlying districts. Even then it was a doubtful matter whether or 
not they were to retire peacefully or whether a few of the rebellious 
hot-headed commanders would refuse to abide by the verdict of the 
majority. 

A request was made by them of the American general command- 
ing the Malate and Ermite division that they be permitted to march 
up the Luneta with their arms and pass along the ground where the 
Spaniards used to shoot the Filipinos. It was a pretty sentiment and 
General Ovenshine gave his consent. 

"When the Filipinos Left Manila. 

The story of the evacuation is related by Mr. McCutcheon as folloAvs: 
"At 5:30, out of the Calle Keal in Ermita appeared an officer on a 
fiery native pony. lie was Colonel CaHais, one of the ablest officers 
in the entire insurgent army, a man whose whole soul was in the cause, 
who is well educated and a fine strategist, and who has a nobility of 
bearing that marks him a soldier and a man of high qualities. Close 
at the heels of his pony came the magnificent Pasig band, composed 
entirely of native musicians and numbering ninety pieces. Every man 
was in uniform and the piece they played was a stirring wild native 
march that set the horses to prancing and every one who listened 
tingling with enthusiasm. Then came the troops, hundreds and hun- 
dreds of them, all in blue drilling and every man with his rifle. There 
were over six hundred of them and the picture their bright uniforms 
made as the columns of four wheeled out of the Calle IJeal, down the 
Calle San Luis, with the bands playing and the horses tearing back 
and forth, was one never to be forgotten. Throngs of jieople watched 
the long lines march by. There was something pathetic about the whole 
incident, for they were being driven out of the city which they had 
fought so long to get into, and even though their presence within the 
American lines was a constant menace and their withdrawal absolutely 
necessary one could not help feeling sorry for them. 

"Down the Calle San Luis they marched, then down the Paco road 
toward the walled city, to the Calle Bagumbayan, and then began their 
triumi)hal mai'ch past the walls of old Manila, where the ramparts 
were thronged with Spanish prisoners watching the departure of their 
enemies. This was the neai'est that a rebel flag had ever approached 



FRICTION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 297 

the walled city, and it must have been a source of satisfaction to the 
insurgents to show their strength to their hated oppressors by parading 
right under the ancient walls. Scores of carriages were drawn up 
along the line of march, and many of them contained Spanish ofticers. 

American Soldiers Cheer Filipinos. 

"The Wyoming soldiers lined up and cheered the insurgents as they 
marched by the Wyoming barracks, and it sounded strange to hear one 
force cheering another which the day before was looked on as half an 
enemy. It was a good thing, however, and it made the insurgents 
feel good. 

"Swinging from the Calle Bagumbayau, which circles the eastern 
and southern sides of the walled city, the departing native troops 
turned down the Lunetta and straight on out the Calle Real, never 
stopping until they left the suburbs far behind. Over in Tondo and in 
Paco and in Sampaloc and in the other suburbs where the insurgents 
had massed this scene was being repeated, although not with such a 
show nor with so many bands. In the twenty-four hours of September 
14 over four thousand armed insurgents marched out of the city, and, 
although many of them returned later, they were unarmed and in con- 
sequence welcome to stay as long as they chose. 

"General Otis conducted the arrangements for the departure of the 
insurgents very skillfully, for it was a delicate situation and an ill- 
advised move might have thrown the two forces into active conflict. 

"The next day (September 15) marked the opening of the congress 
of the Philippine revolutionary government at Malolos. This town is 
thirty-eight kilometers north of Manila, and it is the place where 
Aguinaldo has set up his government. Several Americans attended the 
opening. The train from Manila was jammed with natives, and a great 
many prominent Philippine merchants and lawyers were on board. 
About eighty representatives from different parts of the Philippine 
islands were in Malolos to represent their various districts. The town 
was decorated with insurgent flags of all colors. Any design that re- 
motely approached the red and blue of the true flag was made to serve, 
and every nipa hut had its rudely fashioned flag floating out from the 
banana and palm freer. Congress was held in a church. The first 
session was short and nut imposing. 



29S FlilCTION IJETWEEX AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS. 

The Filipino Congress in Session. 

"AguinaUlo, iu swallow tail and a dazzling shirt front, callod the 
meetiug: to order, read his address and then retired. The session was 
adjourned until the followiuji' day, and time jiiyen the members to dis- 
cuss the articles of the new constitution. Throui;h the courtesy of 
Aguinaldo the American uewsjiaper men, Consul Williams and several 
other Americans were given an abundant luncheon. Speeches w'ere 
made by prominent members of the congress and every expression of 
friendshii> was made. It was hard to realize that the day before the 
American forces had thrust the insurgents out of the city of Manila. 

"There were loud 'Vivos Americanos,' and the guests were made to 
feel that they were among friends. No people are more hospitable 
than the Filipinos. At one time during the luncheon a Spaniard from 
Manila, who was connected with a business house there, was arrested 
on the street near where the Americans were located for attempting 
to arouse public feeling against the Americans, lie had been circu- 
lating wild stories, tending to inlhime the more ignorant natives against 
the visitors, but the insurgent leaders ordered his immediate arrest. 
The Pasig band was in Malolos, and the city looked gala iu the extreme. 

"Aguinaldo W'as quartered in an old convent, which had been con- 
verted into a place of considerable grandeur. Here he received dele- 
gates and friends with that serene, implacable look which is so peculiar 
to him." 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOV'ERNMENT. 

An Appeal from the Junta Patriotica at Hong Kong to the American People 
— Charges of Bad Faith — General Merritfs Opinion of the Filipinos — 
General Otis Tries to Secure the Release of Spanish Prisoners Held by 
the Insurgents — Our Expedition to Iloilo — President McKinley's In- 
structions to the American Authorities in Jlauila — A Manifesto from 
Aguinaldo — The Filipino Cabinet — Agoncillo in Washington — Presi- 
dent McKinle.y Appoints a Commission. 

Looking forward to the securing of the best conditions possible for 
his country, Aguiualdo lost no time in sending a commissioner to 
Washington to represent the Filipinos. Senor Felipe Agoncillo was 
assigned to this important mission, and he joiu'neTed to San Francisco 
by the same steamer which carried General Greene. General Merritt 
at the same time started for Paris to be present at the meeting of the 
treaty commissioners there. 

Owing to the American censorship of the cable at Manila, the Aguiu- 
aldo government maintained an office and organization in Ilong Kong, 
where, free from restraint, the members of the Junta Patriotica could 
take such action as they saw fit to support the revolutionists in the 
islands. 

The Junta issued from Ilong Kong an appeal to Americans which 
recited the complaints and grievances of the Filipinos, and begged for 
redress. Many of the allegations, however, were overdrawn 

Filipinos Appeal to Americans. 

This appeal, issued November 15, 1898, was as follows: 
"W^e, the Hong Kong representatives of our countrymen, appeal to 
the great and good judgment of President McKinley and the spirit of 
fairness and justice of the American people as always shown in their 
regard for the petitions of the weak and oppressed, 

299 



300 FILIPINOS AN'D THE AMERICAN GUVEKXMENT. 

''^'hile the fate of the islands is ^till undecided, and we are doing 
all in our power to prevent a conflict between the Americans and Fili- 
pinos — waiting patiently for the conclusion of the Paris conference — 
we implore the intervention of the President, supported bj^ the will 
of the people, to end the slights shown our leaders, officials, soldiers 
and people by some of the American military and naval authorities and 
soldiers. 

"Vt'e do not wish to do Admiral Dewey or General Otis wrong, but 
we presume that reports, under press censorship, will be, as they have 
been, sent broadcast, alleging that all the mistakes ai'e ours and that 
the Americans are treating us most kindly. But we must tell the truth 
for the best interests of both parties, depending upon the American 
President and people to see that justice is done to our leaders, 
Aguinaldo especially, having full confidence in ultimately receiving jus- 
tice from America. 

Pertinent Questions to be Answered. 

"What have we done that we should experience unfriendly treat- 
ment? Are the Americans our friends? The tension becomes greater 
daily, and any moment a shot may be fired by an irresponsible Amer- 
ican or Filipino soldier. And the flame thus started can only be 
quenched with blood dear to us both. 

"We beseech the American President and people to help us to 
control our own people by directing the oflicials at ^Manila to temper 
their actions with friendship, justice and fairness. 

"We suggest that Admiral Dewey and General Otis and General 
Merritt, in Paris, be asked : 

"If, from the commencement of hostilities to the present time, have 
not Aguinaldo and the Filipinos under him acceded to every request of 
the American oflicials? 

"When Manila was captured, although the Filii)iuos had driven 
the Spaniards iutt> Manila, completely investing the city and occupying 
some of the roads commanding in part the approaches to Manila, in 
advance of the Americans, were Filipinos not entirely ignored and 
even not notified of the intention to attack, or of the time or part they 
were expected to play, even if such was to stand aside? 

"\Mien llie Filipinos, seeing the intention to attack, went to the 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 301 

assistance of the Americans, were they not stopped by an armed body 
and faced about, instead of being informed by friendly, peaceful 
request that they were not wanted? This unexpected action would 
have placed the Americans between two fires, Spanish and Filipino, 
if shots had been exchanged in the excitement of the moment, had not 
then the Filipinos restrained themselves and obej'ed the Americans, 
although deprived of the fruits of victoiy and participation in the final 
triumph after fighting all the way to the very walls and bearing the 
brunt of three months' campaign. 

Spirit Shown by Filipinos. 

"After remaining a month on the outskirts of the city, where we 
had been stopped, quietly, as a garrison, we were ordered away. Did 
not we cheerfully obey, although having no assurances that the Amer- 
icans would not give back the Manila posts, vacated, to the Spanish? 
When located for several months still farther out, we were ordered 
even beyond the suburbs of the city, where no quarters nor shelter 
existed for troops and where supplies were difficult to obtain, did not 
we obey? 

"Can the cruel allegations that we would murder, loot, steal and 
commit incendiarism if given a free hand be supported, when we con- 
ducted a campaign throughout Luzon, capturing all the important 
points outside of Manila and taking and treating humanely a thousand 
Spanish prisoners without being guilty of such acts, beyond what ac- 
companies any military campaign, as the work of irresponsible camp- 
followers? 

"We beg that the American officials be asked also if all the Ameri- 
cans visiting the Filipinos' headquarters at Malolos, traveling in the 
interior, visiting the camps and lines or seeking favors of our ofiicials, 
were not uniformly politely treated? 

Puzzles to be Solved. 

"In a friendly manner we invite the consideration of other points. 
Groundless and harmful rumors are being constantly circulated by 
Spanish sympathizers and malcontents, which are often believed with- 
out investigation. Our protests are not heard. 



302 FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN (iOVERNMENT. 

"All our lannches were seized because of foolihili rumors that we 
would attack the Americans. \Yo asked for an explanation in seek- 
ing tbeir recovery, and were not even given an answer. 

"Our enemies were delighted, thus encouraging further rumors. 

"Should not some logical reason, other than mere report, be given 
for suddenly seizing our property in Manila? 

"The Spaniards, the late enemies of the Americans, are shown 
every consideration, and the Filipinos, friends and allies, are often 
treated as enemies. Does this satisfy American ideas of justice? The 
I'^ilipino people cannot undei-stand it, although their leaders tell them 
not to protest and that all will end well. 

"We are asked by the Americans to restrain our people and avoid 
any outbreak pending the decision of the peace commission. This 
we gladly do. But we beg that similar instructions be given to the 
Americans by the Washington government. 

"From the beginning of our relations, when Aguinaldo was urged 
in Singapore and Hong Kong to return to Cavite and assist the Amer- 
icans, until ]\Ianila fell, we acted under the advice and with the knowl- 
edge of the American ofiicials. During that time we conquered all of 
Luzon outside of Manila, and were informally recognized and encour- 
aged by the Americans. When Manila was captured their chief end 
was attained, we were no longer recognized and were even treated as 
untrustworthy. Is this just? 

"Washington Administration Blamed. 

"We can only attribute this sudden change from friendly encour- 
agement and co-operation to an order from Washington to the officials 
at Manila to avoid compromising the American government by any 
recognition of the Filijjinos or their government. They have endeav- 
ored to carry out these instructions literally, believing it the ])r()per 
course to ignore the Filipinos entirely, losing sight of their former 
friendly intercourse and assistance and of the assurances the American 
oflicials made to our leader .Vguiiialdo, who in tui-n coinniuuicated the 
same to his followers. 

"In concluding our humble but earnest ajjpeal to tlie IMcsidenl and 
the people of the gi-eat American Republic we wish to ciiipliasii-.c our 
absolute confidence in him and I hem; t(. make it i)lain that our protests 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 303 

r.re not prompted by any feeling of animosity, but are directed against 
the conditions existing at Manila, and not against the American gov- 
ernment or people; to acknowledge our gratitude to the American arms 
for desti'oying Spanish power in the Philippines and permitting the 
return of Aguinaldo, and to express the hope that America will stand 
by her determination not to return the islands to Spain. 

"We await the ai'bitrameut of the peace commission, for whose 
good judgment we have profound respect, with even greater interest 
than the Americans, because it concerns our native land, our happi- 
ness, our freedom and our homes. 

"In the meantime we pray for peace and a perfect understanding 
with the Americans." 

Major General Merritt on the Filipinos. 

By this time General Merritt w'as in London on his way to the 
United States and he read with a great deal of interest the long 
letter of complaint against American officials in the Philippine islands 
addressed by the Filipino junta of Hong Kong to President McKinley 
and the people. In discussing the Filipinos, the American general 
referred to them as "children," and said it would be impossible to 
establish American government in the islands. He added that they 
must have some form of colonial government similar to the British 
colonial governments. 

Regarding the complaints of the Filipinos the general said: 

"It was impossible to recognize the insurgents, and I made it a 
point not to do so, as I knew it would lead to complications. Admiral 
Dewey after my arrival pursued the same course. What was done 
before is not for me to comment on. I purposely did not recognize 
Aguinaldo or his troops, nor did I use them in any way. Aguinaldo 
did not ask to see me until ten days after my arrival. After that I was 
too much occupied to see him. 

"In talking with leading Filipinos I told them the United States 
had no promises to make, but that thej^ might be assured that the 
government and people of the United States would treat them fairly. 
This was because the Ignited States is in the habit of dealing fairly 
with all struggling peoples, and not because I had been authorized 
to say anything of the kind. 



304 FILIPLN'OS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 



Criticisms on Aguinaldo. 

"We purposely did not <j;ive the Insurgents notice of our attack on 
Manila because ^ve did not need their co-operation and did not pur- 
pose to haAe it. We were moved by fear that they might loot and 
plunder and possibly murder, ^iguinaldo's subordinate leaders, in con- 
versing Avlth American officers, frequently said tbey intended to cut 
the throats of all the Spaniards in Manila. 

"Aguinaldo himself wrote a complaining letter saying the insur- 
gents had been denied 'their share of the booty,' whatever he may have 
meant by that. I took no notice of this letter, nor do I think the sub- 
ject now raised is a matter for discussion between Aguinaldo and any 
representative of the American government." 

General Otis, then the commander of the American forces In the 
Phillpi)ines, proposed to Aguinaldo that he release the friars and civil- 
ians held In captivity throughout the provinces. The insurgent leader 
denied their maltreatment and refused to release the prisoners, claim- 
ing that the civilians had enlisted as volunteers and therefore were 
legitimate prisoners of war. Aguinaldo also denied that women and 
children were detained, but said some women and children had volun- 
tarily accompanied their husbands or fathers into captivity. 

As to the friars, Aguinaldo argued that they are prohibited by 
the pope from accepting parochial a]>poinlments; that they are onl}' 
permitted to follow monastic life, and that the parishes are intrusted 
to ministers of the indejjendent monastic orders. But, he added, the 
riiilippiue clericals have deliberately and systematically deceived the 
pope, pretending that the country' was barbarous, unlit for the regular 
ministry and Ihat it was necessary that the monastic orders should 
administer the parishes. Therefore, Aguinaldo continued, he consid- 
ered it necessary to detain the friars until the pope is undeceived. 

Affairs About the City of Iloilo, 

The most threatening complications of all were centered about 
Iloilo, the second city of the islands, on the Island of Panay, 3.o5 miles 
south of Manila. This is one of the group kuowu as the Visayas 
islands. Iloilo was besieged by the insurgents and so closely encircled 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 305 

that the Spanish ganison which was stationed there finally was unable 
to hold out any longer. Several thousand soldiers were surrendered 
to the native forces, with large quantities of arms and ammunition, 
on the 24th of December. 

Three days later an American expedition which had been huiTied 
southward from Manila under the command of General Mai'cus P. Mil- 
ler, arrived at Iloilo, and found that the Spaniards had evacuated the 
place. The steamer Churuca transferred the Spanish forces to Minda- 
nao. In accordance with an agreement the rebels entered the city and 
trenches on Monday at noon. They immediately established a municipal 
government. Guards were placed over foreign property. Everything 
was quiet and orderly. There was some looting during the night, but five 
natives were shot, and this had an exemplary effect. The only foreign 
ship in the harbor was the German cruiser Irene. The Filipinos 
assured the Americans that they might land unarmed, but that if the 
latter landed armed the natives would be uncontrollable. Every prep- 
aration was made for resistance upon the part of the rebels, and re- 
enforcements were arriving from Negros and the neighboring islands. 

Instructions from President McKinley. 

To define the position of the American authorities in the Philip- 
pines, President McKinlej* issued a letter to the secretary of war, with 
instructions that it be transmitted to General Otis and by him em- 
bodied in a public proclamation to the Filipinos. The letter was as 
follows: 

"Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C, December 21, 1S9S. — ■ 
To the Secretary of War. Sir: The destruction of the Spanish fleet 
in the harbor of Manila by the United States naval squadron com- 
manded by Rear-Admiral Dewey, followed by the reduction of the city 
and the surrender of the Spanish forces, practically effected the con- 
quest of the Philippine islands and the suspension of Spanish sover- 
eignty therein. 

"With the signature of the treaty of peace between the United 
States and Spain by their respective plenipotentiaries at Paris on the 
10th inst., and as the result of the victories of American arms, the 
future control, disposition and government of the Philippine islands 



SOfi FlLiriXOS AND TOE AMEKirAX GOVERNMENT. 

are cetleil to the I'uiti'd States. lu fuHilluieut of the i-iglits of sover- 
eignty thus acquired aud the responsible obligations of government 
thus assumed, the actual occupation and administration of the entire 
group of the I'hilippine islands becomes immediately necessary, and 
the military government heretofore maintained by the United States 
in the city, harbor and bay of Manila is to be extended with all possible 
dispatch to the whole of the ceded territory. 

"In performing this duty the military commander of the United 
States is enjoined to make known to the inhabitants of the Philippine 
islands that, in succeeding to the sovereignt}- of Spain, in severing the 
former political relations of the inhabitants and in establishing a new 
political power, the authority of the United States is to be exerted for 
the sovereignty of the persons and property of the people of the islands 
and for the confirmation of all their private rights and relations. 

A Message of Friendship. 

"It will be the duty of the commander of the forces of occupation 
to announce and ])roclaim in the most public manner that we come not 
as invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to protect the natives in 
their homes, in their employments and in their personal and religious 
rights. All persons who, either by active aid or lionest submission, 
co-operate with the government of the United States, to give effect to 
these benefits and purposes, will receive the reward of its support and 
protection. All others will be brought within the lawful rule we have 
assumed with firmness, if need be, but without severity so far as may 
be possible. 

'^'ithin the absolute domain of military authority, which neces- 
sarily is and must remain supreme in the ceded tcM-ritory until the 
legislation of tlie United States shall otherwise jirovide, the municipal 
laws of the territory in respect to private rights and property and the 
repression of crime are to be considei'ed as continuing in force and 
to be administered by the ordinary tribunals so fai- as possible. The 
operations of civil and munici])al government are to be performed by 
such oflicers as may accept tlie supremacy of the United Stales bj' 
taking the oath of allegiance, or by officere chosen as far as may be 
practicable from the inhabitants of the islands. 

"^'hile the control of all the public property and the revenues of 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 3U9 

the state jjasses with the cession and while the use and management 
of all public means of transportation are necessai'ily resen-ed to the 
authority of the United States, private property, whether belonging 
to individuals or corporations, is to be respected except for cause fully 
established. The taxes and duties heretofore payable by the inhabi- 
tants to the late government become payable to the authorities of the 
United States unless it be seen fit to substitute for them other reason- 
able rates or modes of contribution to the expenses of government, 
whether general or local. If private property be taken for military 
use it shall be paid for when possible in cash at a fair valuation and 
\vhen payment in cash is not practicable receipts are to be given. 

Commercial Status of the Islands. 

"All ports and places in the Philippine islands in the actual pos- 
session of the laud and naval forces of the United States will be opened 
to the commerce of all friendly nations. All goods and wares, not 
prohibited for military reasons by due announcement of the military 
authority, will be admitted upon payment of such duties and other 
charges as shall be in force at the time of their importation. 

"Finally, it should be the earnest and paramount aim of the mili- 
tary administration to win the confidence, respect and affection of the 
inhabitants of the Philippines by assuring to them in every possible 
way that full measure of individual rights and liberty which is the 
heritage of free people and by proving to them that the mission of 
the United States is one of benevolent assimilation, siibstituting the 
mild sway of justice and right for arbitrary rule. In the fulfillment 
of this high mission, supporting the temperate administration of affairs 
for the greatest good of the governed, there must be sedulously main- 
tained the strong arm of authority, to repress disturbance and to over- 
come all obstacles to the bestowal of the blessings of good and stable 
government upon the people of the Philippine islands under the free 
flag of the United States. WILLIAM M'KINLEY." 

Commenting upon President McKinley's proclamation to the Fili- 
pinos issued by General Otis, the Independencia, a native paper, de- 
clared the problem presented most grave. It admitted that there were 
only two solutions possible — namely, the American abandonment of 



310 FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 

their anncxaliou policj, claimiug that the people here are not desirous 
of absorption in their nationality, or a prolonged and bloody war. It 
cited the example of the "noble patriots of Iloilo defying General 
Miller," expressed hope for a pacific termination of the crisis, but 
hinted of trouble. 

Aguinaldo Issues a Manifesto in Reply. 

Within a few hours of the proclamation issued by Major-General 
Otis in behalf of President McKinley the agents of Aguinaldo billed 
Manila with a manifesto which read as follows: 

"The government of the Filipinos has concluded that it is obliged to 
expound the reasons for the breaking off of friendly relations with the 
army of the United States in these islands so that all can be convinced 
that I have done everA-thiug on my part to avoid it, and at the cost of 
many rights necessarily sacrificed. 

"After the naval combat of May 1 the commander of the American 
squadron allowed me to return from Ilong Kong, and distributed among 
the Filipinos arms taken from the arsenal at Cavite, with the intention 
of starting anew the revolution (that had settled down in consequence 
of the treaty made between the Spaniards and the P^ilipinos at Biak-na- 
bato) in order that he might get the Filipinos on his side. 

"The different towns now understood that Avar was declared between 
the United States and Spain and that it was necessary for them to fight 
for their liberty, sure that Spain would be annihilated and would be 
unable to do anything to put the islands iu the way of progress and pros- 
perity. 

"My people rejoiced at my return, and I had the honor of l)iing 
chosen as chiefj for the services I had rendered before. Then all the 
Filipinos, without distinction of class, took anns, and every province 
hurried to turn all the Spanish troops outside the lines of its boundary. 

"So it is easy to understand how mj- government would have had the 
power over the whole island of Luzon, Bisayas and a portion of Min- 
danao had the Americans taken no part in the military operations here 
which have cost us so much blood and so much money. 

"My government is quite aware that the destruction of the Spanish 
fleet and giving of arms to them from the arsenal has helped them much 
in the way of arms. I was quite convinced that the American army was 



I 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 311 

obliged to sympathize with a revolution whitli had been crushed so 
iiianj times, had shed so much blood and was again working for inde- 
pendence. I had all confidence in American tradition and history, for 
they were willing to fight for independence and the abolition of slavery 
until it was attained. 



The Capture of Manila. 

"The Americans, having won the good disposition of the Filipinos, 
disembarked at Parailaque and took the position occupied by our troops 
in the trenches as far as Maytubig, taking possession as a matter of fact 
of many trenches that had been constructed by my people. 

"They obliged the capitulation of Manila, and the city, being sur- 
rounded by my troops, was obliged to surrender at the first attack. 
Through my not being notified, my troops advanced to Malate, Ermita, 
Paco, Sampaloc and Tondo. Without these services in keeping the 
Spaniards in the city they would not have given ui> so easily. 

"The American generals took my advice regarding the capitulation, 
but afterward asked me to retire with my forces from Port Cavite and 
the suburbs of Manila. 

"I reminded the generals of the injustice they were doing me and 
asked them in a friendly manner to recognize in some expressed way my 
co-operation, but they refused to accord me anything. Then, not wish- 
ing to do anything against the wishes of those who would soon be the 
liberators of the Filipino people, I even ordered my troops to evacuate 
the port of Cavite and all the suburbs of Cavite, retaining only one, the 
suburb of Paco. 

"After all these concessions in a few days Admiral Dewey, without 
any motive, took possession of our steam launches that were circulating, 
by his express consent, in the bay of Manila. 

"Nearlj- the same time I received an order from Gen. Otis, com- 
mander in chief of the army of occupation, obliging me to retire my 
army outside certain lines which were drawn and given me, and in which 
I saw included the town of Pandacan and the village of Singalon, which 
never have been termed suburbs of Manila. 

"In the actual sight of the two American generals I ordered a consul- 
tation of my military generals, and I consulted my assistant counselors 



312 FlLiriNOS AND TllK A.MKHKWX GOVERNMENT. 

aud generals, and the two bodies coufunued iu a desire to appoint a 
commissioner to see Gen. Ilughes. 

"The general received my commissioiuM- in a \tiHn- w ay and would not 
allow liim to speak, but I allowed it to pass, by a friendly request from 
< ien. Otis, and withdrew my troops outside the given lines so as to avoid 
trouble and waited for the conclusion of the peace commission at Paris. 

''I thought 1 would get my indei)eudeuce, as I was promised by the 
consul-general of Singapore, Mr. Pratt, and it would come in a formal, 
a.ssured, friendly jtroclamatiou by the American generals who had en- 
tered these waters. 

''But it was not so. The said generals took my concessions in favor 
of friendship and peace as indicative of weakness, and, with growing 
ambition, sent forces to Iloilo with the object of taking that town, so 
they might call themselves the conquerors of that part of the Phili])- 
pines, which is alreadj* occupied by my government. 

"This way of proceeding, .so far from custom and the jnactice ob- 
seiTed by the civilized nations, gives me the right to proceed, leaving 
them out of consideration. Notwithstanding this, and wishing to be in 
the right to the la.st, I sent to (ien. Otis a ciunniissioner with a request 
to desist from this fearful undertaking, but he refused to do so. 

War Is Threatened. 

"My government cannot remain indilVereut in view of a violent and 
aggressive usuri)ation of its territory by a people who claim to be the 
(hampions of liberty, and so it is determined to begin hostilities if the 
.American forces intend to get, by force, the occupation of Visayas, 

"I denounce these transactions before the world in order that the 
nniver.sal conscience may give its inllexible decision. Who are the man- 
slaughterers of liumanily? Upon tlicir heads he all (he blood (hat will 
be wasted. EMILIO AGUINALDO. 

"January ('.. ISOO." 

The Manila .\mericnn (f January 10 thus describes the effect of Ag- 
uinaldo's proclamation announcing the breaking of frien<lly relations 
with the United Slates: 

"The second manifesto was posted tlii'<iiiL;li<iut (lie city Siiiiilay even- 
ing, and early yeslei-ilay morning. .Vs quickly as it could lie read (he 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 313 

word was passed among the natives and Spaniards, and the excitement 
rose to fever heat. Household goods were quickly packed up and two 
unorganized processions were started; one composed of natives traveled 
down the street leading to the insurgent lines, while the other, composed 
of Spaniards, led to the walled city. 

"At an early hour yesterday the news reached general headquarters 
and interpreters were sent out to make copies of the second proclamation 
and translations. When the purport of the manifesto was learned or- 
ders were sent to the headquarters of every regiment on the island to 
keep the men within quarters under arms, ready to respond at a mo- 
ment's notice to any emergency call. Guards all over the city were 
strengthened and every possible precaution was taken to guard against 
an outbreak or disturbance. 

"Many insurgents who have been working in the city left their posi- 
tions yesterday and went flocking to their lines outside the city. As a 
result many business houses are short of help, and some have even 
closed their places temporarily. The «treets, which since the occupation 
have been almost blocked with vehicles, were unusually free and less 
than one-half the usual number of quilez and carromatos were to be 
found on account of their having been taken out of the city by the in- 
sui'gent owners." 

While affairs around Manila were in this condition, it was announced 
that a new cabinet had been formed by Aguinaldo. 

Aguinaldo and His New Cabinet. 

Aguinaldo has so dominated the affairs of the so-called Filipino re- 
public that little attention has been paid to his lieutenants and the men 
who have been assigned to places of nominal importance in the govern- 
ment. Indeed, most people would find difficulty in recalling to mind 
the names of any of Aguinaklo's cabinet ministers. One reason for this 
indifference to the individuality of the Filipino leaders below Aguinaldo 
may be found in the fact that nearly all of his subordinates are mei'e 
figureheads — men of no strength of character and little or no following 
among their own people. In all the forms of government instituted by 
Aguinaldo siuce last May there has not been one man who would allow 
himself to have an opinion — much less to express it — contrary to Aguin- 
aldo's, except, possibly. General Pio del Pilar. 



314 FILnTN'OS AND TIIK A.MKRICAN OOVEKXMKXT. 

Allliougli it i.s pri)b;ible that the .so-called central j^overumeut uf the 
Philippines — Gubierno de la Kepublica Filipiua, as the natives call it — 
will become non-existent in a short time, I take pleasure in giving the 
names of the chief executive officers, with some idea of their qualilica- 
lions for their posts, as furnished by 8enor I'once, a Filii)ino diplomat. 

Senor Ponce says that the legislative power of the Filipino republic 
rests Avith the congress, "composed of the finest elements of the land, 
presided over bj Senor Pedro A. Paterno, lawyer of the University of 
Madrid, where he is well known." 

Senor Ponce gives the names of the Fili])ino cabinet officers as fol- 
lows: 

President — Emilio Aguinaldo. 

Secretaiy of War — IJaldomero Aguinaldo. 

Secretary of Foreign Affairs — Cayetano S. Arellano. 

Secretary of Home Affairs — Leandro Ibarra. 

Secretary- of Generfll Keveuuo — Mariano Trias. 

Secretai-j- of Justice — Gregorio Arafieta. 

Secretary of Education — Felipe Buencamino. 

The war ministiy has only one department with five subheads. Its 
general director is Antonio Luna. 

The ministry of foreign affairs is divided into tliree subdepartments 
— that of diplomacy, in charge of Dr. T. II. Pardo de Tavera; that of the 
nav3', whose chief is Pascual Ledesma, and that of commerce, under 
Esteban de la Rama, 

There are two bureaus in the home department, one of the jiolice and 
secret service, under Severino de las Alas, and the other of hygiene and 
sanitation, in charge of Dr. .lose'' Albert. 

Benito Legarda and His Characteristics. 

In the <lc])arlmcnt of general revenue lliere is otie luireau muler P>en- 
ito Legarda, wlutm I foun<l t(t be one of the most suave ;;nd clever little 
diplomats in the east. He is undoubtedly well ])laced, for if the Kepub- 
lica Filijiina should ever have occasion to raise money from a population 
iiinvilling to be bled, Senor Legarda is just the man 1.) convince a reluc- 
tant lot of business men that it will be more iileasing to themselves and 
more salisfaclory to the government for them to part with their money 
than llieii- i)Iood. 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 315 

One bureau of justice under Jos6 Basa and one of i-egistry under 
Juan Tangeo constitute the department of justice. 

In the department of education there are three rather incongruous 
bureaus — namely, public instruction, under A. Ci"uz Ilerrera; agricul- 
ture and fabric industry, under Jos6 Alexandrino, and public works, un- 
der Fernando Cafion. 

Most of the men above named have been educated in Europe. Seuor 
Arellano was professor of law in the Manila univer-sity, a magistrate and 
consulting lawyer for the friars and several banks and other corpora- 
tions. Dr. Pardo de Tavera is a doctor of the University of Paris and 
the author of several historical and scientific works. Serior Luna is a 
bacteriologist, late of the Pasteur institute in Paris. Senores Alexand- 
rino and Cafion were educated in Europe as engineers, the former at the 
University of Ghent. Dr. Albert is a doctor of medicine of the Universi- 
ties of Madrid and Berlin. Senores Ibarra, Bassa, Alas, Arafleta and 
Tangeo are lawyers who practiced in the Spanish courts in Manila be- 
fore the outbreak of the insurrection. Seiiores Eama, Ledesma and 
Trias were formerly merchants and are reputed to be wealthy. 

SeSor Ponce says that the Filipino congress has now under discus- 
sion a constitution for the Filipino republic, and he adds an interesting 
item of news to the effect that already the congress has approved a law 
authorizing the issue of bonds to the extent of 120,000,000 (Mexican) to 
meet the necessary expenses of the government. 

Senor Ponce also says the foregoing facts show that the Filipino 
government is working with a regularity that is a proof of the knowl- 
edge with which it was formed, and that it is backed by a native press 
that is full of vigor. 

An Opinion from Senor Ponce 

Concerning the relations of the Filipino republic with the United 
States Senor Ponce^writing before the attack of the natives upon our 
troops, of course — says: "It is veiy difficult to forecast events, but from 
the data that come to the surface I can affirm that our amicable rela- 
tions with the Americans will never be interrupted. Even Mr. McKin- 
ley always repeats that America has waged war for humanity's sake, 
without any ambitious intention of extending her territory. We want 
only the proper internal prosperity and justice to the populace. All this 



3ir> FILll'IXOS AND THE AMEKICAN UUVEUNilKNT. 

allows us to hope that Amoiiia will be our eternal frieud aud that, as 
her people have contributed very much to enable us to gaiu our inde- 
pendence, they will also help us to preserve it by defending us against 
foreign aggression." 

Lest any reader may imagine that Sefior I'once is more naive than 
most of the Filipinos in expecting the United Htates to undertake the 
protection of the Filipino republic against the encroachment of other 
]>owers, I may say that nearly- every one of Aguinaldo's lieutenants 
had exactly the same idea. They seemed to think that we would be 
glad to do all that they wished and that it would be a sufficient reward 
to us to know that we had assisted them to free themselves from the 
Spaniards and establish a republic. 

The first reports of the formation of the new cabinet included Teo- 
doro Sandico in the list as minister of the interior, but this proved to 
be an error, as I presumed at the time. However, his relations to 
Aguinaldo and to Legarda, now in the cabinet, were such that some 
information concerning both these personalities may be of interest. 

Sandico and Legarda. 

Teodoro Sandico is a rather clever half-caste,educated as an engineer, 
who was the medium through whom Aguinaldo worked when he was 
making our consul in llong Kong believe that he (the consul) was a 
dii)lomat of supreme sagacity aud finesse. Poor Sandico really took 
our consul seriously for a time and believed that he had assisted in the 
negotiation of a treaty between the republic of the United States and 
the Filipino rei>ublic. It is true Aguinaldo was never deceived by the 
performances of our consuls at Singapore and Hong Kong, but he now 
finds it convenient to pretend that he was led to "ludp" the Americans 
by the representatives of our government. As a matter of fact, Aguin- 
aldo knew jierfectly well the jjowers and the limitations of our consuls 
— a great deal better, in fai I, than these men themselves knew them. 

One day the former Initcd States consul to Manila, Mr. O. F. Wil- 
liams, took on board the collier Nanshan a very nervous Filipino, who 
announced that he had come to that ship at Consul Williams' request 
jireparatory to sailing for Hong K<»ng. This man was Sandico, and 
when I (|iicstinncd him about the puri)ose of his trij) to Hong Kong 
he ii't tlic rat out of the bag at once for the sake of getting my influence 



FILU'INCKS AXL) THE AMEKICAX GOVKKXJIKNT. :?!: 

with Admiral Dewey to let him go in the comiug trip of the Zaiiro. 
lie said that he was ou very frieudly tenns with t^crior Artar-ho, who 
had just arrived iu Cavite from Iloug Kong; that Artaeho had been 
arrested the day after his arrival, and that he was to be shot that day; 
that he (Sandico) had barely escaped imprisonment because he had 
]iasged the night in the same house with Artaeho, and that Consul Wil- 
liams had saved his life by giving him asylum ou board the Nanshan. 

About this time one of Aguinaldo's staff, a slight young fellow 
named Legarda, came off to the Nanshan and told i^audico that Aguin- 
aldo had sent for him to come ashore. Then followed a most interest- 
ing struggle on the part of Sandico to escape the fate that he felt sure 
had been meted out to Artaeho and his four friends. Sandico fell 
back upon his position of supposed safety on board a United States 
vessel. Aguinaldo sent Legarda to Admiral Dewey with a request that 
his insubordinate officer be returned to his service. The admiral's ej'es 
snapped when he learned that Sandico had taken refuge aboard the 
Nanshan at the request of Consul Williams, and he ordered Flag Lieu- 
tenant Brumby to see that Sandico was put ashore. The latter, finding 
that his asylum was to be taken from him, begged Brumby and myself 
most piteously to intercede with the admiral to save his life. 

While Legarda was ashore getting instructions from Aguinaldo, 
Sandico was sure his last hour had come. He was removed from the 
Nanshan an hour later, but the delay had been long enough to enable 
the admiral to let Aguinaldo know, unofficially, that it would be unwisie 
for him to permit any suumuuy executions in or near Cavite. Cor.ae- 
quentlj- Sandico was merely "squeezed" for information that could be 
used against Artaeho; but, remembering how sure Sandico was l/:at 
Aguinaldo intended to have him shot at sight, it seemed a littlt odd 
to hear the incorrect report that he was to serve in Aguinaldo's cal '>net. 

Legarda and His Mission to the Spanish. 

Benito Legarda, in spite of his youth, is one of the shrewdei»t and 
most capable of the men in Aguinaldo's entourage. He is small and 
slight, with regular and pleasing features and very agreeable manners. 
He was educated in England, he told me, having been sent to a board- 
ing school at Clapham, I think, when he was very young. He speitks 
English fluently and French fairly well. 



318 FiLii'iyos A^■r) tee American goverxment. 

It was Legarda whom Aguinaldo sent into Manila when onr troops 
were beginning to move toward the city and when Agninaldo had just 
learned that his men were not to be allowed to take j)art in the city's 
capture. There is no doubt that he carried a proposition from Agnin- 
aldo to the captain-general at least to let the natives enter the cily 
in advance of the Americans; and there are many suspicions that a 
much more treacherous proposition was made. Whatever may have 
been Legarda's mission there is no doubt that it failed. So he came 
back to Aguinaldo with the messages intrusted to him by the captain- 
general and the archbishop of the riiiliiipines. Then, although Aguin- 
aldo and every one else in that neighborhood knew that the city would 
be forced to capitulate or would be carried by assault, and that it was 
<.nly a question of a few days at most, he sent Legarda back into Manila 
en a secret duty. Legarda was instructed to propose to the Spaniards 
that the Filipinos should unite with them to crush the "Yankees," and 
that in return the rebels should receive their independence from Spain. 
Of course, the Spaniards did not form the alliance with the natives, but 
it is certain that Legarda was the envoy whom Aguinaldo trusted 
above all others on his staff. The Spaniards offered him the earth 
if he would desert to them, and he concluded it wMiuld, perhaps, be a 
wise thing to do. So he remained in Manila after his second trip thither 
and lived on the fat of the land in the captain-general's palace. No one 
in our lines could comitrehend the purpose of his supposed treason, but 
later it was iiiscovered that he had gone back by Aguiualdo's order to 
remain in the city until its capture by the Americans, so that he might 
"bob up serenely" at the moment when the surrender took i)la(e and 
thus enable him to claim that he had a representative present when 
the Spaniards capitulated. 

AVhen there is anything to be gained "by trick or device," as the law 
reads, tlu- Filipinos can give the heathen Chinee cards and spades 
and win. 

Demands of the New Filipino Cabinet. 

The new cabinet asked for recogiiititm of the inilei>endence of the 
PhiliiiiiirK- islands, 'i'lie release of the S]ianish ])ris(iinrs held by the 
Filipinos was denied. An offer was made, how.-ver, of willingness to 
come to an understanding with the Americans "as allies" for I lie sinren- 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMEETCAN GOVERNMENT. 319 

der of the Spanish military and civil officers and others on the following- 
conditions: 

"The negotiations to be opened formally between Spain and the 
national Filipino government, Spain nominating a delegate to treat 
therewith. 

"Exchange of prisoners and Spain to repatriate, firstly, all the Fili- 
pinos held prisoners; secondly, all prisoners of war condemned as trait- 
ors, revolters or deserters, and Spain to grant amnesty to all Filipinos 
and Spaniards accused of conspiracy in the insuiTection. 

"Spain to defray all the expenses of repatriating the Filipinos and 
also the cost of maintaining and repatriating the Spanish prisonei's 
held by the Filipinos. 

"Friars taken prisoners will not be included in the exchange, see- 
ing that they acted as papal agents during the war; but their surrender 
will be made on the condition, firstly, that the apostolic delegate will 
ask their liberty in the name of the pope; secondly, that all bulls and 
pontifical decrees granting special privileges to the religious orders 
be revoked; thirdly, that all rites of the secular clergy be respected; 
fourthly, that no friar hold any parish, cathedral, episcopate or dioc- 
esan preferments; fifthly, that all such preferments be held by native 
or naturalized Filipino clergy, and, sixthly, that rules for the election 
of bishops be fixed." 

Conditions around Iloilo became more critical. The streets were 
barricaded and many buildings prepared for defense in the event of 
attack. The insurgents threatened to destroy the whole business 
quarter of the city at the first shot of bombardment by the Amer- 
icans. The banks sent their funds aboard ships in the harbor. Presi- 
dent McKinley's proclamation had to be typewritten aboard ship, as 
the printers on shore declined to do the work, and when the text of 
the proclamation was read to them they ridiculed the notion that con- 
ciliation was possible. 

Agoncillo's Work in Washington. 

Seiior Agoncillo, the Filipino representative in Washington, had 
made repeated efforts to obtain diplomatic recognition from the Presi- 



320 FILU'INOS AND TUE AMERICA^' GOVERNMENT. 

(lent and the sei-retiiry of state, always Avitliout success. They had re- 
ceived him personaiiv aud liad listened to his preseutatiou of alTairs, 
but had jjiveu him uo oilicial recognition whatever. In his communi- 
cation of Januaiy 24 to the secretary of state, Sefior Don Felipe Agon- 
cillo called attention to the fact that on January 11 he addressed a letter 
to him upon the question of recognition, forwarding with it a memoran- 
dum demonstrating that, according to all Americau precedents, the 
Phi]ipi)ine republic was entitled to recognition, aud in the same letter 
invited the attention of the secretary to the present strained condi- 
tions at Manila, where overzeal on either side might create a condition 
resulting in grievoiis loss of life aud urging the necessity of an early 
and frank communication between the reitresentatives of the two 
countries. He further called attention to the fact that since his letter 
was written the very circumstances he feared have brought the two 
countries to the edge of war. 

Referring to the continual movement of ships and troops to the 
Philippines, Agoncillo said he was unable to conceive of any reason why 
the army and naAy of the United States, lately employed against a 
common enemy, should be turned against America's recent associate. 

The United States, he said, had no active enemy in the orient, hav- 
ing proclaimed an armistice with Spain. It was true, he continued, that 
Si)aiu had undertaken to convey to the United States its alleged claim 
against the Philiitpines, a claim which Spain was not capable of 
enforcing and which never found its origin in the consent of the ])eople 
of those islands, lie incpiireil: "Are my government and people to be 
left to suppose that it is because of some desire on the part of the 
American government to enforce against its late associate this exploded 
claim that the United States is massing its forces at the late ca])ita] 
of the Philippine islands?" 

lie was sure the secretary of state would aip])rcciate, in view of tiie 
circumstances detailed, the (luieting, reassuring elTect upon the minds 
of his countrymen to result from a disclaimer upon the part of the 
American governuient of any intention to altack their lilierties and 
indei>endence. 

An American Commission to the Philippines. 

But by tills time I here wcii- two delegations of Filipinos in Wash- 
ington. Our- was that hea(lc(l by .\goncillo, representing .\guinaldo and 



FILIPINOS AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. 321 

the insurgents; the other, wealthy merchants, also Filipinos, who were 
oijposed to Aguinaldo and regarded him as an adventurer. President 
McKinlej decided upon the appointment of a commission to visit the 
Philippine islands and confer with the leading people, both Spaniards 
and insui'gents, concerning the organization of a government. He 
believed it would be taking great risks for Congress or himself or 
anybody to attempt to frame a government for the Filipinos without 
knowing thoroughly the sentiments and the requirements of the people 
and the conditions in which tliey were situated. Although he probably 
knew as much on this subject as any man who had not personally visited 
the archipelago, he did not feel competent to make any i-ecommeuda- 
tions. He believed that he should go very slowly. He wanted also 
formally to assure the Filipinos of the friendly intentions of the United 
States. He wanted them to understand that the purpose of his 
government was to give them as large a share of self-government as the 
circumstances would justify, and that he ^\■ould like to have the views of 
the people of importance, the intelligent classes, the property-owners 
and taxpayers as to the form of government most suitable. 

This commission was composed of Admiral Dewey, General Otis, 
Colonel Charles Denby of Evansville, lud., who was for thirteen years 
minister to China; President Schurmann of Cornell University, and 
Professor Dean C. Worcester of Michigan Universitj-, Ann Arbor. The 
latter is the author of an exhaustive and valuable scientific work on 
the Philippine islands, drawn from information which he gained in 
scientific exploration and study in the archipelago through a period of 
nearly three years. 

Native papers and insurgent leaders gave little credit to the appoint- 
ment of the commission, claiming that it was but a ruse of the Amer- 
icans to gain time and strengthen their position. 

This was the state of affairs at the end of January-, 1899, when 
American men-of-war and American soldiers were being sent as rapidly 
as ptracticable to add to the forces already in the far-away islands of 
the east. Then, in the first days of February, occurred the lamentable 
encounter which marked the beginning of a new Avar, this time the 
United States of America against the native inhabitants of the remote 
Philippine archipelago. 



322 FILIPES'OS AND THE AMKKICAN GOVEKNMEXT. 



Sentiment in the United States. 

The action of the Filipinos in brin<;ing on a conflict, stimulated to 
prompt action those United States senators who had bc^n in doubt on 
the treaty question, thereby accomplishing a purpose diametrically op- 
posed to what the insurgents desired. The treaty of peace negotiated 
in Paris by the American and Spanish commissioners, was ratified by 
the senate on Monday afternoon, February G, the vote being fifty-seven 
to twenty-seven — more than the two-thirds majority required. The 
tension had been great in the senate and there was considerable 
doubt whether or not ratification would be carried. The country, how- 
ever, was gratified that the senate took this action, believing that 
the time to settle questions as to our disposition of the Philippines 
was after we had safely taken care of our own treaty of peace. On the 
same day. Senator McEnery of Louisiana, offered a resolution declaring 
that there was no intention on the part of the United States to annex 
the Philippine islands or admit their population to cilizenship; that 
after we had prepared them for self-government we would dispose of 
them as will be best for their welfare and ours. This resolution went 
over for action at a later date. 

Agoncillo and his fellow-members of tin' I'Mlipino embassy left Wash- 
ington for Montreal the night before the first news of hostilities was re- 
ceived in the United States. It was believi'd tliai he had been Avarned 
by cable of Aguinaldo's intentions. From that time he made his head- 
quarters in the Canadian city, keeping in touch with tlie Filijjina -Tunta 
in Pans, London and I long Kong. 

The policy wliitli had been adopted toward the Filijiiiios met with 
strenuous opposition from a large and influent i;il (hiss in tlie United 
States. The McEnery resolution passed fl:e I'niiiil States senate, de- 
rliiring our ultimate jiurposp was not to annex the I-^ili])in(is. It became 
evident that the sentiment of the country was by no mwans unanimous 
for annexation. The military operations which resulted in the death 
of thousands of FUijiinos who sincerely believed they were fighting for 
the freedom of their country, aroused a great deal of feeling. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

Commeucemeut of Hostilities Between Americans and Filipinos— The Ad- 
vance of the Americans — Old ISIen and Children in the Trenches — 
Shells From Dewey's Fleet — A Filipino Proclamation — Manila on Fire 
—Cessation of Hostilities — Arrival of the I'hilippine Commission— 
The Attack on Pasig— Aguinaldo in the Trenches — Arrival of the 
Oregon. 

It was ou the night of Hatnrrlav, February 4, that the first outbreak 
between the Filipino insurgents and the American troops in the Philip- 
pine islands took place. That evening three of the natives attempted to 
pass the American picket lines at Santa Mesa in the city of Manila. 
They were challenged and retired without replying. A second attempt 
met with the same opposition, and when they approached the line for the 
third time Corporal Greely,of the First Nebraska Volunteers, challenged 
them and then opened fire, killing one and wounding another. 

These shots aroused the insurgent line, stretching from Caloocan, 
near the bay, north of Manila, to Santa Mesa, in the rear of the city, 
and a fusillade was started at many points. The pickets of the First 
Nebraska, the First North Dakota and the First Montana regiments 
replied vigorously, and hot work began. The American outposts, how- 
ever, held their ground until reinforcements arrived. At 9 o'clock the 
Filipinos attempted to rush the lines, and almost broke through the 
wavering pickets and breathless detachments that had hurried to their 
suiiport. The Americans, however, grew stronger every minute. The 
artillery joined in the mel^e and soon from the bay Admiral Dewey's 
warships began to shell the insurgent positions. The Filipinos then 
concentrated their forces at three points, Caloocan, Gagalangiu and 
Santa Mesa. 

The Attack of the Filipinos. 

At 1 o'clock in the morning the insurgents opened a hot fire from 
the three points simultaneously. This was supplemented by the fire 



324 OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

of two siege guns at Balik-Balik and by advancing their 'skirmishers 
at Paco and Pardaoau. The Americans replied by a heavy fire, but in 
the darkness they could have little knowledge of its effect. 

The Utah light artillery at last succeeded in silencing the gnus 
of the Filipinos. The Third artillery "was pounding away al the 
Hashes of fire showing the insurgent positions on the extreme left. The 
engagement lasted over an hour. During much of the time the United 
States cruiser Charleston and the gunboat Concord, stationed off Mala 
bon, hammered with the rapid-fire guns of their secondary batteiics 
upon the insurgent position at Caloocan. At 2:45 in the morning there 
was another fusillade along the entire line. By this time the United 
States monitor Monadnock was in position soutli of Manila and opened 
fire on the insurgent line near Malate. 

When daylight came the Americans advanced. The First California 
and the First Washington infantry made a splendid charge and drove 
the insurgents from the villages of Pato and Santa Mesa. Tlie Nebraska 
regiment also distinguished itself, capturing several prisoners and one 
howitzer and a verj' strong position at the reservoir which is connected 
with the Manila water works. The Twentieth Kansas and the Dakota 
regiments compelled the enemy's right flank to retire to Caloocan. Fir- 
ing continued throughout Sunday at various points. The American 
losses at the end of the battle were approximately 50 killed and 200 
wounded. It was impossible to do more than estimate the losses of the 
Filipinos. 

Burying the Dead Insurgents. 

All day Monday, burial i)arties were busy interring the dead who 
fell dni'ing tlie fighting on Saturday night and Sunday. Hundreds of 
dead Filipinos were found in tlie rice fields and were buried on the spots 
where they were found. The most conservative calculation jdaced the 
loss of the Filipinos at 1,000 dead and 2,000 wounded. 

Late Monday afternoon, deneral Hale's brigade advanced and took 
the water works at Kingalon. Four companies of the Nebraska regi- 
ment and a part of the T'tah bnttery with two field gnus and two 
Hotchkiss guns met llic ciiciny mi ilir liill a half a uiilc nut, and a sliai']) 
engagement took i)lace, in which tlie Xcbraskans lost four men. The 
Filipinos were driven back, retiring in bad order. General Ovenshine's 




>ENERAL ELWELL S. OTIS 




GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT 



OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPIKOS. 327 

brigade advanced and took Parafiaque, eaptiiring two field guns. Gen- 
eral MacArtliiir's division advanced beyond Gagalangin witliout loss, 
the enemy retreating upon Caloocan. 

By the night of Tuesday, after three days and nights of inter- 
mittent fighting, the insurgent forces had been driven back ten miles 
to the east and south of Manila and five miles to the north, where they 
still had lodgment in the vicinity of Malabon. The advances of the 
American troops had neyer once been checked, the enemy being scat- 
tered like rabbits. First the canebrakes in front of advanced positions 
were shelled and as the lurking rebels broke from cover to seek safer 
quarters, they were raked with a withering cross-fire from the rifles of 
the Americans, who then advanced in irresistible charges. 

The "Work of the Sharpshooters. 

The Filipinos did their shooting almost exclusively from behind 
trenches, or from ambushes in the thickets, except that sharpshooters in 
the treetops were kept busy. The Filipinos wasted a vast quantity of 
ammunition, but they almost invariably shot too high, so that while the 
killed and wounded on the American side made a distressingly long list, 
the escape of the troops from an appalling slaughter, considering the 
intrenchments evei^ywhere, the junglelike growths of vegetation suit- 
able for ambushes, and the short range firing from native huts, was 
almost miraculous. 

On the side of the rebels the dead had literally fallen in heaps. 
Tliere were swarms of armed men everywhere in front of the American 
lines when the fighting began. Tottering old men and little boys, armed 
only with knives, huddled in the trenches with the native riflemen, and 
many of these — how many will i)robably never be known — were shot 
down along with the more formidable warriors. 

Caloocan became the scene of fighting as the Filipinos were driven 
farther from the city. On the evening of February 7, Lieutenant A. C. 
Alford of the Twentieth Kansas infantry and a private of that company 
were killed and six others of the regiment were wounded while recon- 
noitering. The party was in a jungle when it was attacked by the 
enemy. Two companies of the Kansas regiment were sent to the relief 
of their comrades and drove the Filipinos into Caloocan, penetrating 
to the very heart of the town. Meanwhile gunboats shelled the suburbs. 



328 OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

General Otis finally recalled the troops, but the natives, niisuiulcr- 
standiujj the retreat, failed to take advantage of it. The ontskirts of 
the town were bnrned. Two days later another conllict ocenrred at 
Calooeaii. (Jeneral MaeArthur's forces lying north of the Pasig river 
were swnng into the town and ronted the Filipinos after a lively battle 
Before the men were iu the field, however, shells were thrown from the 
guns of Admiral Dewey's ships for a full half-hour. The natives were 
badly demoralized and had lost heavily before the real fighting began. 
The American land forces were hurried forward at 3:40 in the after- 
noon and within two hours the enemy were utterly routed and the 
village was reduced to ashes. 

Shells from Dewey's Fleet. 

The next stronghold where the insurgents made a stand was 
Malabou, out of which place they were driven by the American troops 
on February 11, setting fire to the town as they retreated. The monitor 
Monadnock and the cruiser Charleston shelled the insurgent outposts 
and drove them toward the mountains, while the American columns 
were advancing. In the attack the American army suffered a loss of 
two killed and nine wounded; the insurgent loss was heavy. After 
the retreat of the insurgent forces, ])lans showing a meditated attack 
upon Manila were discovered. 

Fighting before Manila was now interrupted for a few days, e.\cept 
for unimportant skirmishes between outposts of the opposing armies. 
The American authorities in Manila, however, had quite enough to do 
to guard the city from threatened uprisings. It was believed at one 
time that there was a plan to burn the city and many alleged con- 
spirators were arrested. It was well iintlerstood that the p(H)])]e of the 
city and the suburban villages were in sjTnpatliy with the insurgents 
and would take any chance to assist them. 

On February 14, some of the rebels took possession of t lie houses 
near the outposts, a skirmish followed and we lost nine men in a Cali- 
fornia regiment before the enemy were driven out. Then a gunboat 
shelled the villages and the jungle, driving the Filipinos toward the 
famous lake, Laguna de I?ay. By this lime the American outposts wen* 
extended to a position twelve miles beyond the city. Another skirmish 
occurred on the Tarirjuina road on February IS, in which about twenty 



OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 329 

Americans were killed and wounded. A day later word came that the 
California volunteers had abandoned Guadalupe church, setting it on 
fire, and retired to San Pedro Macati. The rebels still held the country 
in the vicinity of Guadalupe, Pasiy and Patero, despite the efforts of 
the gunboats to dislodge them from the jungle on both sides of the 
river. 

The heat was intense and increasing daily, so that the American 
soldiers were suffering greatly from the weather to which they were 
not accustomed. There was a daily list of- casualties cabled to the 
war department by Major-General Otis and the list of killed, wounded, 
and those dying from disease grew steadily. 

The Capture of Iloilo. 

At Iloilo conditions were equally strained, but hostilities had not 
progressed to such an extent. After weeks of waiting in the harbor, 
on the morning of Friday, February 10, General Miller sent an ulti- 
matum to the commander of the Filipinos on shore, notifying him it 
was his intention to take Iloilo, by force if necessary. Non-combatants 
and foreigners were warned to leave the town within twenty-four hours. 
The insurgents were also warned that they must make no further 
belligerent preparations. The gunboat Petrel was then moved to a 
position close inshore near the Filipino fort, while the cruiser 
Boston took up her station at the other end of the town. 

Friday passed quietly. During the day many refugees left the town 
of Iloilo. The majority of them were taken on board foreign ships 
lying in the harbor. Searchlights from the United States warships were 
kept all night long illuminating the town and its defenses. 

Filipinos are Driven Back. 

At 3 o'clock Saturday morning the gunboat Petrel signaled to the 
craiser Boston that the insurgents were working in their trenches. In 
return the Petrel was ordered to fire warning shots upon th'e town 
from her 3-pounders. The enemy responded with a harmless fusil- 
lade. The Boston and the Petrel then bombarded the trenches, com- 
pletely clearing them of their occupants in a very short time. 

Soon after the bombardment began flames broke out simultaneously 



3;{0 OUR WAK WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

in various parts of the town. Tbi'r(mi)ou forty-eight marines, acting as 
iufautiT and artillery, were landed from the cruiser Boston, and a com- 
pauy was sent ashore from the gunboat Petrel. These detachments 
marched straight into the town of Iloilo, and, hoLsting the stars and 
stripes over the fort, took possession of the place in the name of the 
United States. 

The capture of the town and its defenses having been accomplished, 
the marines and soldiers who had been sent ashore assisted in saving 
the American, English and German consulates from destruction by the 
fire, which was raging among the frail and inflammable buildings of 
the town. The Swiss consul's residence, which was in the same row as 
the consulates named, was burned. The entire Chinese and native sec- 
tions of the town were destroyed, but foreign mercantile property 
escaped with slight damage. 

There was some desultory firing by the enemy in the outskirts of 
Iloilo, but not a single American was injured. 

On February 12, General Miller ordered a reconnoissance in force to 
ascertain the enemy's position. Between Iloilo and Molo and beyond 
no hostile forces were encountered, but midway between Iloilo and Jaro 
a large body of the enemy was encountered, occupying both sides of 
the road. They met the advance of the American troops with a severe 
and well directed fire. The Americans deployed and returned the fire 
with a number of volleys. Supported by the Ilotchkiss aud (iatling 
guns the enemy was driven through Jaro to the open country beyond. 
The Americans lost four men slightly wounded, the insurgent loss was 
severe. 

Plan a Terrible Revenge. 

The following proclamation issued from Malolos, the seat of the 
insurgent government, on February 1.5, shows the feelings that animated 
Aguinaldo and his advisers as regards the American army: 

"First. You will so dispose that at S o'clock at night the individiials 
of the territorial militia at your order will be found united in all of the 
streets of San Pedro, armed witli their l)nli)s jiiid riMi.lvcrs or g'Mis, and 
ammunition if i-onvenient. 

"Second. Philii)pine families only will be respected. They should 
not be molested, but all other imlividuals, of whatever race they may 



OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 331 

be, will be extermiuated without any compassion after the extermina- 
tion of the armj- of occupation. 

"Third. , The defenders of the Philippines in your command will 
attack the guard at Bilibid and liberate the prisoners and 'presidiarios,' 
and having- accomplished this they will be armed, saying to them: 

" 'Brothers, we must avenge ourselves on the Americans and exter- 
minate them, that we may take our revenge for the infamy and treach- 
ery which they have committed upon us; have no compassion upon 
them; attack with vigor. All Filipinos en masse will second you. Long 
live Filipino independence.' 

"Fourth. The order that will be followed in the attack will be as 
follows: The shaiiishooters of Tonda and Santa Ana will begin tin' 
attack from without, and these shots will be the signal for the militia 
of Troso Binondo, Quiato and Sampaloe to go out into the street and 
do their duty; those of Pake, Erraita, and Malate, Santa Cruz and San 
Miguel will not start out until 12 o'clock unless they see that their 
companions need assistance. 

"Fifth. The militia of Tonto w^ll start out at 3 o'clock in the morn- 
ing; if all do their duty our revenge will be complete. Brothers, Europe 
contemplates us; we know how to die as men, shedding our blood in 
defense of the liberty of our country. Death to the tyrants. 

"War without quarter to the false Americans who have deceived us. 

"Either independence or death." 

Manila on Fire. 

On the night of February 22 the insurgents fired the city of Manila. 
Flames burst forth simultaneously from Santa Cruz, San Nicholas and 
Tondo, and from these points the tire spread in all directions. While 
the American soldiers were fighting the flames, retarded as they were by 
the natives, who cut the tire hose, who shot at the men from dark 
corners as they stood exposed in the glare, and who started new confla- 
grations, boatloads of armed insurgents stole down from the north and 
crept up the swampy creeks of the Vitas district. There they prepai'ed 
for an attack on the rear of the American troops. They lurked at the 
edges of the creeks and amid the salt marshes, gathering their forces 
together from the city and the bay, until they were ready for serious 
work inside the American lines. 



332 OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

At dawn the signal for the attack was given by the insurgent cannon 
on tlie nortli opening fire on Caloocan. The American cannon responded 
promptly and soon silenced the insurgents' guns. In the meantime the 
Filipinos had issued from the marshes in an effort to break the Ameri- 
can line. Cien. Hughes, however, attacked them sti-ongly from the city, 
drawing off such men as he could spare from polltv work auci fire light- 
ing. 

Shells from the Monadnock. 

Outside the city the Filipiuo forces made a couccntrated attack on 
General MacArthur's front, near Caloocan. This was shortly before 
noon. The American artillery was brought into play at the first sign 
of hostilities, and this, with a deadly fire from the rifles, kept the enemy 
in check. This fighting was plainly visible fi'om the bay, and it became 
the duty of the signal corps to indicate the positions of bodies of insur- 
gents to the Mouadnock. The consequence of this maneuver was that 
the gunners in the twin turrets of the monitor were soon sending 
10-inch shells humming clear over the American lines to fall and burst 
among the Filipinos, who could in no wa}' escape this long-range 
bombardment. 

Many of the monitoi-'s shells set fire to the native habitations and to 
the brushwood, adding greatly to the desolation of the scene for miles 
around Manila. There were also other fires in the environs, for the 
insurgents continued to carrj^ out their policy of devastation by fire, 
even when it could not possibly injure the Americans. 

After two hours of shelling from the Monadnock the enemy had 
practically ceased to trouble our force at Caloocan, and hundreds of 
them lay dead in their tracks. 

Meanwhile other bands of natives were being fought off at Santa 
Cruz and San Niccdas. Indeed, they even attemi)tcd to invade the out- 
skirts of the city itself in the vicinity of the turbulent Toudo district, 
with its teeming native population. 

There was everj' indication of a dcsjx'rate uioveiiiciii li.iving been 
planned to include every conceivable form of annoyance to (lie Ameri- 
can forces, inside the city and out. It is evident that incendiarism was 
designed to throw the invaders into confusion, and that if our sqldiers 
had not been so prompt to meet the emergency an attempt would have 
been made to capture the city and put the foreign residents to the 



OUK WAR WITH THE FHJPIXOS. 333 

SAvord. The spirited attacks all along the Hue were a part of this scheme. 
That it failed in its object was due to American generalship and Ameri- 
can pluck. 

A considerable force of insurgents had advanced from Balik-Ralik, 
intending to force their way through our lines and enter Manila during 
the conflagration. Finding this impossible they remained in hiding 
around the edges of a clearing in the woods beyond Sau Juan del Monte. 
On the 24th several companies of the First Wyoming regiment, which 
guarded that part of the American line, were sent against them, and 
after a sharp engagement succeeded in forcing them to beat a retreat. 
The Filipinos left thirty dead among the thickets where they had fought. 

Enemy Has Dummy Rifles. 

A surprising discovery was made when insurgents captured on the 
skirmish line were brought in. It was found that many of them were 
armed with dummy rifles, there being about three of them to every 
Mauser. The bluff made by the dummies having been discovered, the 
secret of the apparently excellent equipment of the insurgents was 
revealed. 

It was a source cf wonder to General Otis where arms could have 
come from. The Consul-General at Hong Kong insisted that he had 
suppressed the shipping of rifles and ammunition from that port; but 
armed bodies of insurgents carrying equipment seemingly of the first 
class were numerous, and it was asserted by the Spaniards that the 
insurgents were continually receiving guns. 

Guerrilla warfare was adopted by the Filipinos. With knives 
concealed they would lie in wait, and slipping out noiselessly, stab 
Americans in the back. Americans compelled to be on the streets all 
carried revolvers and ou a number of occasions were compelled to use 
them against the assassins. 

The United States transport Scandia, which arrived at Manila with 
the Twentieth Infantry on the 23rd, was joyously greeted, and no time 
was lost in getting the troops ashore. Temporary quarters were speed- 
ily arranged for them, and the men were wild with joy on learning that 
they had arrived in time to take part in the fighting. 



334 OUR WAK WITH THE FHJl'IXOS. 



A Period of Comparative Quiet. 

A cessation of hostilities followed these ag};ressive movements on 
the part of the insurgents, and Manila had a period of comparative 
quiet. Frequent skirmishes with small bodies of the enemy en<ia<;'Hl the 
attention of the troops, and many of them were taken prisoners, but 
there was little loss of life in either army during these encounters, and 
neither side gained any appreciable advantage. 

President J. G. Schurman, of Cornell university, and Professor Dean 
C Worcester, of the University of Michigan, members of the United 
States Philippine commission, arrivetl at Manila from lloiig Kuug, on 
March 4, on board the cruiser Baltimore. 

On March 7, the insurgent forces, to the number of several thousand, 
were driven from their position at San Juan del Monte with great loss. 
A conference of the regimental and brigade commanders in the early 
morning decided on making the attack. General Hale's brigade, 
which had been holding the water works against the repeated 
attacks of the Filipinos, swept forward in the form of a V, 
with the open ends towards the Pasig river. This form of advance 
inclosed the rebel position completely and i)ermitted a terrible concen- 
tration of fire. 

The positions of the American forces were as follows: On the west, 
the Wyoming regiment; on the northeast, the Nebraska and Twentieth 
Infantry; on the river side a gunboat was detailed for the action to shell 
the enemy in retreat. 

Brilliant Charge by Americans. 

As soon as the lines were well under way in (he massed advance the 
Wyoming regiment closed in, firing rapidly and effectively. Suddenly 
one of the comjiaTiies of (he regiment sjirang from the line with a cheer, 
and, Avith an oHicer at ils head, dashed loward the insurgent trenches. 
It was Ounpany (\ ami tlic action electrified the American lines. The 
other companies of the Wyoming regiment rushed to the front, and the 
entire line swept down upon the Filipinos. Maintaining their fire 
for only a short time after the roaring charge, the Filipinos leaped from 
their earthworks and fled, closely pressed. Retreat was cut off in all 



OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 335 

directions save toward the Pasig river, and as the insurgents turned 
that way they were met by a pitiless shelling b3' the gunboat. 

The infantry lines closed in at once from the east. The Nebraska 
regiment was led by Colonel Stotzenberg, who carried his men forward 
with great speed. 

In the woods the Filipinos were scattei'ed into small bands and 
driven along the river front. The loss of the insurgents was very 
heavy, the accurate fire of the gunboat creating panic in the fleeing 
lines. The only casualty to the American forces was the wounding of 
Private Speach of the Nebraska regiment. 

The American forces were halted at the river for a rest. The insur- 
gents had been utterly routed. This engagement was the following up 
of the advance made the daj^ before by General Hale's brigade in Sau 
Tolan and Mariquina. It was then that the Americans met and defeated 
the largest body of natives yet encountered. General Wheaton's bri- 
gade was also in action, the fighting having spread toward his flank. 
The Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming regiments, with eight field 
pieces, the Utah regiment and two companies of the Oregon infantry 
were in the fighting line. In the rear the Twentieth Infantry was held 
in reserve. Resistance was made by the natives the moment the Ameri- 
can troops approached Sau Tolan. Their fire was not effective, however, 
while the marksmanship of the western regiments was superb. 

A river gunboat joined in the attack and shelled the towns as in the 
fighting of this morning. The troops in General Wheaton's brigade 
were the California, Idaho and W'ashington regiments, and the Sixth 
Regular Artillery. In face of the telling fire the natives clung to their 
position before the towns until the shells began dropping among them. 
Then the American infantrymen advanced and the Filipinos fled from 
their earthworks. They carried some of their dead and wounded with 
them, but a great number were left upon the field of battle. Eight 
Americans were wounded. 

Heavy Insurgent Losses. 

At daylight, March 13, General Wheaton's divisional brigade was 
drawn up on a ridge behind San Pedro Macati, a mile south of the town. 
The advance was sounded at C:30 a. m., the cavalry leading the column 
at a smart trot across the open to the right, eventually reaching a clump 



336 OUR WAR WITU THE FILIPINOS. 

commanding the rear of Guadalupe. Supported by the Oregon vohm- 
teers, the advance force opened a heavy fire on the Filipinos. The 
response was feeble and desultory, apparently- coming from small 
groups of men in every covert. While the right column was swinging 
toward the town of Pasig they advanced, pouring volleys into the bush. 
A small body of natives made a determined stand at (iuadalupe church, 
but was unable to withstand the assault. 

At 7:30 a. m., a river gunboat started toward Pasig. The insurgents 
were fii-st encountered by this vessel in the jungle near Guadalupe. 
Steaming slowly, the gunboat poured a terrific fire from her gatling 
guns into the brush. For all of an Lour the whirring of the machine 
guns alternated with the booming of the heavier pieces on board. 

In the meantime Scott's batteiy ashore was shelling the trenches 
and driving the enemy back. The artillerj- advanced to the ridge of 
bamboo, drove a few of the enemy's sharpshooters away with volleys 
from their carbines and then went on with little opposition. 

In the meantime the infantry had been sent forward in extended 
order, tlu^ Washington regiment resting on the bank of the river, each 
regiment deploying on reaching its station and furnishing its own sup- 
ports. The entire column wheeled toward the river, driving the enemy 
before it, and then advanced on Guadalupe. The artillery moved to a 
ridge commanding Pasig and Pateros. 

The Attack on Pasig. 

15y this lime the enemy was in full flight along a line over a mile 
long, and the firing was discontinued temporarily, in order to give the 
troops a rest before making the attack on Pasig. After a short rest 
General Wheaton resumed the attack on Pasig. Scott's battery, sup- 
ported by two companies of the Twentieth Uegiment, advanced on 
Guadalupe by the road along the river bank, the remainder of the 
Twentieth Kegiment and the Twenty-second Regiment following with 
the resene of the Oregon volunteers. 

At 11:.30 a. m. the column came in contact with the enemy, and a 
gunboat steamed to the firing line and cleared tiic jungle on both sides, 
while the battery took up a position on a l)lnn' at the right. The first 
shot from the American field pieces, at 1,200 yards range, dismounted a 
gun of the enemy at Pasig. After the town had been shelled the Twen- 



OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 337 

tieth Regiment lined up on the bluff and the Twenty-Second took up a 
position on the left of the place, with the cavalrj' in the center, where- 
upon the enemy retreated to the town. The gunboat then moved into 
a bend opposite, and a hot fire on the Filipino position was maintained 
along the whole American line until 2:20 p. m., when preparations were 
made for the attack. 

At 3 p. m. our gunboat started in pursuit of the enemy's armed tug, 
chasing her to the lake. At 3:30 p. m. a large body of the enemy was 
discovered working around our right Hank, and the Twentieth Regiment 
was moved to a commanding ridge. The natives were met opposite 
Pateros, but they bolted. 

Thirty of the insurgents were killed, sixteen were taken prisoners, 
and the Americans lost six men wounded. 

An attempt was made to secure a passage across the river to the 
island on which the town of Pasig is built, but it was a failure and in 
consequence the insurgents, taking advantage of the darkness of the 
night, returned in force to the town. There they were found the fol- 
lowing morning strongly intrenched, and a desperate fight, lasting for 
seven hours, was made against them by the troops of General Wheaton's 
brigade. 

The left wing of the American forces, consisting of the Twentieth 
and Twenty-second infantry, crossed the river and made a detour to the 
rear of Pasig. Meanwhile the Washington volunteers on the right cap- 
tured Taguig and took 350 prisoners. The troops of the brigade which 
were not engaged in crossing the river fired volley's from the shore, 
sweeping the Filipino trenches with their bullets. 

By these movements the natives were almost surrounded, but the 
numerous creeks flowing through the flat and muddy countiy greatly 
delayed the progress of the American troops, thus affording loopholes 
for the insurgents, with the result that many of them escaped. Three 
thousand Filipinos took part in this action. Four hundred of them were 
killed. There was fierce street fighting in Pasig before the last of the 
enemy was driven out or captured. Pateros had been reoccupied 
by the insurgents, and this town was also captured after severe fighting. 
In this action one American was killed and five were wounded. 

With the capture of Pasig, Pateros and Taguig, the American forces 
held complete possession of the Pasig river from the Bay of Manila to 
the Laguna de Bay. This distance is only eight miles, but control of it 



338 OUR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 

practiially divided the island of Liizou into two parts. Laguna de Bay 
is a great inland body of water over 100 miles in circumference. The 
Pasig river, eight miles long, is the Laguna's outlet to the sea at Manila. 
Pateros is a place of 2,842 people, according to the latest Spanish 
census. Only a mile eastward toward Laguna is Taguig, with 9,()(54 
people. I'asig is three miles bej^ond Taguig, and commands the exit of 
the Pasig river from Laguna de Bay. It is more of a city, being a trans- 
shipping point for the commerce which passes between the country bor- 
dering on the lake and Manila. The channel between Pasig city and 
the south side of the river is much larger than those which separate 
Pateros and Taguig. The crossing of this water and the taking of Pasig 
were the crowning feats of the forward movement of Wheaton. 

Another Lively Battle. 

The First battalion of the Twentieth infantry regiment advanced 
from Pasig, on March 16, clearing the country to Cainti, a well-defended 
village of 700 inhabitants live miles northwest of the foothills. The 
troops first encountered the Filipino outposts in the dense jungle on the 
banks of the river. The enemy was dislodged after half an hour's fight- 
ing. The Americans advanced in splendid manner under a heavy fire 
until they were ready to volley the natives from the trenches. The 
latter had a great advantage and dropped a number of our men. The 
Americans charged across the rice fields, making four advances on the 
enemy, who numbered 1,000 men, 500 of Avhom were intrenched, and in 
the face of a cross-fire. Our troops carried the town after four hours' 
fighting and burned the outskirts, the insurgents firing from the win- 
dows and keeping up a running fire in the streets. The Americans then 
withdrew in order to obtain more ammunition. 

The Filipinos lost about 100 men, and the American loss was two 
killed and thirteen wounded. 

Aguinaldo in the Trenches. 

During all these days of battle Aguinaldo was a daily visitor in the 
trenches and out])osts of tlie insurgent army. He was received enthus- 
iastically everywhere by the troops. 



OUE WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 339 

The Filipino government established pensions for disabled private 
soldiers of .?7 (Mexican) a month. Officers were to receive more according 
to their grade, majors receiving .foO a month and generals -fSO. The 
widows of privates were allotted fT, of officers below the grade of gen- 
eral .f 10, and of generals |15 a month. Another decree of the govern- 
ment empowered provincial governors to leA^ contributions arbitrarily 
on the inhabitants under their supervision whenever the revenue from 
legitimate sources should have become exhausted. 

Arrival of the Oregon. 

Just at sunset, on the evening of March IS, while the band on shore 
was playing "The Star Spangled Banner," with the troops at parade 
and the warships in the harbor lowering their colors, the battleship 
Oregon steamed into Manila Bay, saluted Admiral Dewey, and dropped 
anchor amid the cheers of seamen afloat and soldiers ashore. 

The Oregon made the voyage from Honolulu without incident, and 
arrived in as perfect condition as when it made its famous trip around 
the Horn to help smash the Spanish fleet ofl; Santiago. 

The an'ival of General Lawton made a reorganization of the Ameri- 
can forces necessary, and tAvo divisions of three brigades each were 
formed. 

General Lawton assumed command of the First, which consisted 
of the Washington, North Dakota, and California volunteers, under Gen- 
eral King; six troops of the Fourth cavalry, the Fourteenth regulars, 
the Idaho volunteers, and a battalion of the Iowa troops, under General 
Ovenshine; the Third and Twenty-second regular infantry and the Ore- 
gon regiment, under General Wheaton, and Dyei"^s and Hawthorne's 
light batteries. 

General MacArthur's division consisted of two batteries of the Third 
artilleiy, the Kansas and Montana volanteers, under General H. G. Otis; 
the Colorado, Nebraska and South Dakota regiments, and six companies 
of the Peunsylvanians, under General Hale; the Fourth and Seventh 
regulars, the Minnesota and Wyoming volunteers, and the Utah 
artillery. 

A separate brigade was assigned to provost guard duty, consisting of 
the Twentieth and eight companies of the Twenty-third regular 
infantry. 



340 OUE WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 



A Letter From the Front. 

Correspondeut McCiitcheou, writing from Manila under date of 
March 19, sent the following interesting account of affairs in the island 
at that time: 

"When the Esmeralda arrived this morning from Hong Kong after a 
fearful experience with the China sea I went ashore, and had barely 
reached the Hotel Oriente when I heard that General W^heaton's com- 
mand had been fighting the evening before near Taguig. Reports indi- 
cated that the fighting still continued. Taguig is at the junction of the 
Pasig river and the lake, about ten miles from the center of Manila, It 
has been the scene of several skirmishes lately. 

"xYnother correspondent and I at once started for the trouble zone. 
The streets of Manihi were almost deserted and there was a (piiet about 
the town that contrasted strongly with the condition of things three 
mouths ago. Then everything was booming and optimists firmly 
believed that hostilities between the Americans and insurgents were 
highly improbable. Now the die was cast and each day for the last 
month and a half had told a tale of slaughter and military activity. 

"As we finally left the limits of the suburbs and reached the lonely 
roads through the paddy fields southeast of Paco we encountered an 
occasional soldier, who told awful stories of the fight at the front. The 
first report was that eighty Americans had been cai)tured, a number 
killed and many wounded. Auotlier report was more moderate, and 
another was that many of the prisoners had been subjected to inlniman 
torture. Each report was distinguished b^' some pictur('S(iue feature 
that had grown from the retelling or from the narrator's imagination. 

"At San Pedro Macati we left our vehicle and secured tough little 
ponies for the remainder of the trip. Soon afterward we passed the 
American trenches and rode on to intercept General Wheaton's com- 
mand, which was supposed to be on the shores of the lake about three 
miles further on. At the Pasig feiTv there was a hospital corps waiting 
the remainder of the wounded and dead coming down the river in 
launches. One launch had already gone on to Manila with about twenty 
wounded men from the skirmish of the night before. We were informed 
that General Wheaton was about a mile beyond the ferry. A ride of 



I 



OTJR WAR WITH THE FILIPINOS. 341 

ialf a mile brought us to strings of bullock carts and evidences of a 
soldiers' encampment. 

"Here we found General Wheaton. He occupied a picturesque head- 
quarters on a little slope at the side of the road, his house being a rough 
nipa-thatched shelter. The general had just i*etunied and was in his 
undershirt, with a soiled service-beaten pair of khaki trousers. His face 
showed the effects of the spirited work of the past week and he looked 
tired. Still he was studying carefully a blue-print map of the lake 
district and figuring out future movements. He was flushed with the 
success of the day's work, for his command had routed the insurgents, 
killing a great number of them, and then, not satisfied with this, had 
chased them fifteen miles down the lake shore, the insurgents burning 
the towns as they fled through them. When the Americans got through 
the Pasig country was rid of every insurrecto for the time being. The 
Americans then began their march back to the camp, but had not 
arrived at the time. General Wheaton estimated the insurgent losses 
for the week at about 2,000, while the Americans had lost fewer than 
fifteen killed and fifty wounded. 

"The general strikes me as being a regular fighting man without 
frills. His policy is to sail in and mow a clean swath in any direction 
as long as there is an insurgent, and the work seems to agree with him. 

See No Natives in Manila, 

"The streets of Manila at night are absolutely deserted except for 
soldiers and an occasional white man. There are no natives to be seen 
anywhere. There is a great deal less apprehension than there was a few 
days ago, and people are growing accustomed to the condition,^ of 
affairs. Eumors are thick, and there is always a feeling of expectation 
that is now the natural thing. No one can predict where the next out- 
break will be, for the reason that the insurgents are now operating in a 
fiying column, and attack one American section of the line one night 
and probably- another several miles away the next. 

"The Americans now have divided the insurgents north of Manila 
and those south of the city, so that communication between the two 
divided forces is difficult. The gunboats control the lake and the nayj 
the sea and bay, so that it is almost impossible for the two forces to 



342 OUR WAR WITH THE FILiriNOS. 

juiu without making the long and difficult trij) around the lake on its 
eastern shore. 

"It is believed that the onlj- operation that will have a decisive effect 
will be a big movement north toward Malolos and San Fernando, but 
there are not encjugh Americans here to do that now. On the arrival 
of the troops now on the waj^ something may be done, but there is a 
feeling that at least GO, 000 troops will bo necessary to ])rotect the city 
and to form powerful flying columns north and south. If the insurgents 
can be driven from the big cultivated vallej- which runs north through 
the island and chased into the mountains, it is thought their zeal will 
diminish tremendously." 

Native Villages Burned. 

On the night of March IS some of the Filipinos who had been driven 
from Cavite and the small towns in the vicinity of Pasig combined 
forces and attacked a company of the Washington volunteers, a 
detached post at Taguig, about a mile and a half southeast of Pasig. 
General Wlieaton immediately re-enforced the Americans with two com- 
panies each of the Washington and the Oregon regiments. The post had 
held the enemy in check, and the fire of the re-enforcing companies 
repulsed them, driving them across to an island formed by the estuary. 
They were thus in front of the Twenty-second regulars. 

On discovering that they were entrapped the natives fought des- 
perately, aided materially by the jungle and the darkness, but they were 
coni])letely routed, with heav}' loss, after two houi-s' fighting. The 
Americans lost two killed and twenty wounded, among the latter Lieut. 
Frank .Tones. 

(Jeneral Whealtm (Ictci-iiiined to i)unish tlie natives, and at daybreak 
the following morning liis ))rigade start(>d in the following order: The 
Sixth artillery holding the extreme right, the Oregon volunteers head- 
ing the center, the Washington regiment keeping to the edge of the lake, 
and the Twenty-second regulars occupying the right of the line, which 
sw'ept the whole country along the lake, in a southeasterly direction, 
toward General Ovenshine's position. The line, thus extended over two 
miles of countrj-, rough and covered with thick jungle, advanced eleven 
miles. The enemy fled, and were pursued by the American troops fifteen 
miles down the shores of the lake to San Pedro Tunoaon. During this 




GENERAL ARTHUR MACARTHUR 




•GENERAL WILLIAM LAWTON 



OUR WAR WITH THE FH^Il'INOir;. 345 

exciting foot race the Filipinos and Americans burned ten villages, the 
former aiJplviug- the torch when forced to retreat, and the latter dis- 
lodging bj' flames persistent guerrillas who fired upon the troops from 
the windows of houses. 

The flying brigade, after making this long excursion into the enemy's 
territory, returned to its former jjosition at Taguig, exhausted by the 
hard work under a hot sun. The Oregon regiment had one man killed 
and four wounded, and the Twenty-second regulars one wounded. The 
official reports gave no fewer than 200 Filipinos killed. 

The armed tugs Laguna de Bay and Oeste returned to San Fedro 
Macati on March 18, and reported the results of their tour of the lake. 
They shelled the town of Morengo, the Filipinos fleeing without making 
any response to the fire. The Americans landed a party, which de- 
stroyed a quantity of stores and all the stone buildings, except the 
church. The expedition then proceeded to Majayjay, where a sugar 
mill and saw mill were destroyed. 

On arriving at Santa Cruz, a town of 1,200 inhabitants, it was found 
that the enemy was strongly intrenched and prepared to defend the posi- 
tion, assisted bj- two gunboats and several launches. Moreover, the 
mouth of the river was blocked with rocks and bamboo. A few shells 
caused an exodus of the citizens, but not of the enemy's troops. The 
Americans did not attempt a landing. 



I 



CHAPTER XX. 

CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 

The Fighting Contiinios — Burning Native Huts — Many Killed on Both Sides 
— The Advance on Malolos — Lawton Captures Santa Cruz — Our 
Men Wade .\shore Under Fire — In the Hands of the Enemy — 
General Lawton Evacuates the Captured Towns — General Otis' Opin- 
ion — Revival of Confidence Among the Filipinos. 

Severe fighting was begun (iu Iho niiii'iiiug of Marcli 25 ndrlheast of 
Caloocan. Preparatious for the movenient wore elaboi'ute and arranged 
with the utmost care and foresight. The general formation was: Gen- 
eral Ilale's brigade in front; behind it were massed the brigades of Gen- 
erals Harrison Gray Otis and Hall; General Wheatou's brigade was 
placed in the rear. 

This force numbered, roughlj- estimated, 12,000 men — about the 
same as the estimated strengtli of the enemy, who, however, were 
strongly intrenched in dense jungles, into which our men would have to 
force their way after crossing a large open space, exposed to the full 
force of the Filipino fire. 

The regiments in our line averaged about 800 men each. These regi- 
ments were the Third Artillery, Montana Volunteers, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, Nebraska Volunteers, Wyoming Volunteers, Colorado Vol- 
unteers, South Dakota Volunteers, Oregon Volunteers, Third Regulars, 
Fourth Regulars, Seventeenth Regulars, Twenty-second Regulars, 
Twenty-third Regulars, Utah Artillery, and the Minnesota Volunteers. 

This force, excepting General Wheaton's brigade, which had been 
detached from General Lawton's division south of the Pasig river, rep- 
resented the northern portion of the original semicircular line back of 
Manila. The advances of the last two weeks had brought it to Caloocan 
as a center, while the retreat of the enemy had established its center 
on Novaliches, a short march to the northeast. 

The loft of our line extended as far north on Manila bay as Malabon, 
nearly due west of Polo, the objective point of the movement, the design 



CAMPAIGNINO IN LUZON. 347 

beiug to imprison the eneniv there between the hay and our line to the 
east and north. 

Tlie effect of this plan of operation was to drive a wedge through the 
lieart of the insurgent army and effect its complete disorganization 
by imprisoning nearly half of it between our line, extending at an angle 
on the south and the northeast, and Manila bay. 

Our movement began before dawn. Under cover of the darkness the 
brigades of General H. G. Otis and General Uale left their trenches and 
made a rapid advance. They came close upon the enemy's first line 
without being detected. Their vacated positions were immediately oc- 
cupied by the brigades of General Wheaton and General Hall. 

At 4 o'clock the advancing force stopped for breakfast. Our camp 
fires warned the Filipinos and iheir buglers called to arms. This was 
the signal for our advance to the attack. Between our front and the 
enemy's first line there was a mile of rough, open country. While we 
were crossing this, without any sort of shelter, the insurgents were well 
protected in the edge of the woods, in trenches four feet deep, behind 
tangles of underbrush. 

Advance on Double Quick. 

Our troops advanced on the double quick, yelling fiercely. Occasion- 
ally they dropped in the grass for an instant, firing by volley, ad(jpting 
American tactics for the first time. The Filipinos reserved their fire 
until we were within 1,000 yards of them. Then they suddenly replied 
to our volleys with a galling fire across the open stretch we were 
crossing. 

The enemy's fire was the more galling for the reason that their aim 
was better than in previous engagements. They fired lower, their bul- 
lets driving a cloud of dust into the faces of our advancing troops. 

But the Americans never hesitated. They rushed forward, cheering 
and continuing their volleys with appalling effect, carrying everything 
before them. When we were 200 yards distant from the enemy's line 
they began to break and run for the woods. At short range our volleys 
mowed down those who still resisted, so that when our men stood in the 
enemy's outermost position they saw that their further pursuit would 
be over the bodies of dead and disabled insurgents. 

At this stage of the engagement the Montana and Kansas troops 



34S CAMPAiaNING IN LUZON. 

made a splcmlid display of military aidur aud skill. The hottest resis- 
tance of the rebel Hue was offereil to them from an intrenchmeut from 
which night attacks had greatly worried the Americans of late. The 
men of Kansas and Montana rei)aid the debt with interest. 

At G a. m. — ninety minutes after the start — our line had cleared the 
enemj's front for a distance of three miles to the north. While ( leneral 
MacArthur's division swung to the left, driving the Filii)inos into the 
jungle on all .sides, General Hale's brigade swept in a northwesterly 
flirection. It put the enemy to rout, and burned the town of San Fran- 
cisco del Monte. 

Our line was then opposite the enemy's center at Xovalithe. The 
artillery was advancing rai)idly, there being a good road from Lalonia, 
its starting point, to the insurgents' central position. Immediately be- 
hind the artillerj' came the wagons, carrying pontoons, telegraph sup- 
jdics, and ammunition. The advance of the infantry was in splendid 
order. 

In accordance with instructions General Wlieaton's brigade had re- 
mained in the trenches. This division joined the general movement at 
noon, but during the forenoon it engaged the enemy between Malabon 
and the River Tuliahan. The opposition was .strong, but the enemy was 
forced to retire. 

While the brigades of Generals Harrison (Jray Otis and Hale were 
advancing on the .strongly intrenched towns of Novaliches and Polti in 
the forenoon and capturing Francisco del Monte and Mariquina, they 
swept the country clear to the water works and the foothills. 

The American advance was marked by burning huts of the natives. 
Chinese, leading ambulances and horse litters, brought in our wounded. 
Among them were a few Filipinos. 

Among the nine prisoners taken during the forenoon by the Penn- 
sylvania troops was a giant cajitaiu of the ^lacabebe tribe. He was 
stark naked and looked a terrible fellow, tho\igh quite cowed. All tin- 
prisoners were in a state of abject terror. They autiiipated instant 
exi'cutiou. 

Capturing the Railroad. 

Early in the afternoon the forces of General Hale and General Otis 
cajitured the railroa<l. This hastened the cliiiinx nf I lie day's trinni]ili, 



CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 349 

as it practically cornered the flower of Aguinaldo's army at Malaboii 
and in the foothills at Singalon, twenty miles apart. 

The brilliant exploit of the Third Artillery and the Kansas regiment 
in crossing the Tuliahan river and capturing a blockhouse under a fierce 
rain of bullets occurred late in the afternoon. They were moving in 
a northwesterly direction toward Polo, while General MacArthur, with 
the remainder of General Otis' and General Hale's brigades, was ad- 
vancing south of the river in a position to attack Polo. This division 
was then within five miles of Polo and two miles of Novaliches. To pro- 
tect General Hale's right General Hall moved to Banlac, meeting with 
strong opposition. Meanwhile the Oregon regiment and a portion of the 
Utah battery under Lieutenant Gibbs occupied the extreme left. 

The sensational attack upon the blockhouse by the Kansas regiment, 
which swam the river to make it, seemed to paralyze the natives. They 
had disguised the house as a leper hospital, and imagined that our men 
would give it a wide berth. 

Casualties on the American side were about 200 during the day, 
mostly wounded. The Filipinos were slaughtered evei-ywhere, the field 
being strewn with their wounded and dead soldiers. The fight was con- 
tinued on the following day, and in this engagement General Wheaton's 
brigade figured almost exclusively. 

Evidently anticipating a bombardment by the fleet, a thousand Fili- 
pinos vacated Malabon, leaving a few to burn the town. General 
"Wheaton's brigade, composed of the Second Oregon Regiment, and the 
Twenty-second and Twenty-third Infantrj^, stretched out along the rail- 
road from Caloocan to the Tuliahan river, was powerless to prevent the 
withdrawal, owing to the natural obstacles and to the strong opposition. 
In the meantime General Wheaton's brigade held the railroad to the 
river, but was unable either to repair the bridge, which had been de- 
stroyed by the enemy, or to advance, owing to the opposition and the 
hills on the other side. 

The calculations of both General Hale and General Harrison Gray 
Otis, whose brigades constituted General MacArthur's division, were 
much interfered with by the character of the country in front of both, 
and the enemy was able to take advantage of this, so that the operations 
against Novaliches and Polo were delayed, though the right Aving of the 
division swung out, sweeping the enemy in a northwesterly direction. 
General Wheaton's headquarters was a half-mile south of the river. 



3S6 CAirPAIGNIXG IN LUZON. 

(in the road. Tlie oppo.site bank was protected bv a blockhouse and in- 
Uencbnicnts. Occasionally the artillery and infantry tired across the 
stream. Finally the enjiineers moved a construction train up to the 
bridge, the iron framework of which remained, and began to replace the 
floor. 

While this was going on the Second Oregon Regiment crossed the 
river on the left and the Twenty-second on the right, Avith four compan- 
ies of the Twenty-third infantry supporting the latter regiment. A ris- 
ing clear ground stretched away a distance of half a mile to Malinta, 
situated on its crest 

Advance Under a Hot Fire. 

In front of the village were strong Filipino intrcnchments, but no 
Fili])inos were to be seen. The Twenty-second regiment approached 
diagonally, with General ^Yheaton and his staff close behind and scouts 
closely observing the ground. When the Americans were within about 
300 yards of the iutrenchments the Filipinos suddenly volleyed heav- 
ily. The Twenty-second, which was holding the center, suffered con- 
siderably, but with the Oregons on the left and the Kansans on the right 
in the woods the fighting was kept up for half an hour, the Twenty- 
second infantry advancing up the slope through the thick grass under 
the hottest fire. 

General Wheaton and his slalT were all the time under a rain of bul- 
lets. Colonel Egbert, who Avas in the thickest of the fighting, was shot 
in the abdomen. lie was placed on a stretcher and an attempt was 
made to carry him to the cars, but he died on the way. 

It was a most affecting scene. General Wheaton, baring his head, 
said: "You have done nobly." Colonel Egbert gasped in njily: "I must 
die; I am too old." 

No Filipinos were found in I lie iniuhes. Though aitparently their 
force was much smaller than tiial of the Americans, liiey had an im- 
mense advantage in position and in opportunity to retreat. 

General MacArthur's advance guard, the Third artillery and the 
Twentieth Kansas regiment, joined Gencial Wlieaton's brigade shortly 
after Malinta was taken, ajiitronching along tlie Novalichcs road 
westerly. 

The soldiers were much exhausted and there were several ])rostra- 



CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 351 

tions from the heat, which was intense. The dead and wounded were 
collected in the shade of the trees and carried on stretchers by Chinese 
across the river to the train. 

Marilao was afterwards burned by the insurgents who had escaped, 
and they hurriedly retreated to the north toward Malolos. 

Three men of the Third artillery were wounded at the railway bridge. 
Three lieutenants of the Dakota regiment were killed. The total loss for 
the day was about twenty wounded and ten killed. The total American 
losses during the three days' fight were about 30 dead and 280 wounded. 

The Advance on Malolos. 

The American troops under (General MacArthur continued their for- 
ward movement upon Malolos, the Filipino capital, and formed in battle 
line on the afternoon of March 30, a mile north of Guiguinto, taking posi- 
tions in the following order from left to right: Third artillery, First 
Montana, Twentieth Kansas, Tenth Pennsylvania, First South Dakota, 
First Nebraska, Fourth cavalry. 

At 2:30 o'clock all was in readiness and the line began a cautious 
advance. 

Almost immediately the insurgents began to pour in a heavy fire 
from the right, which fell with great severity upon the Nebraska men. 
However, the Americans continued to advance steadily and rapidly 
regardless of the withering volleys, and soon drove the rebels from their 
trenches, which had been masked by thickets. 

The engagement lasted half an hour, and resulted in the following 
losses to the Americans: Nebraska, four killed, thirty wounded; Penn- 
sylvania, one killed, one wounded; South Dakota, two wounded. 

The Americans then continued their march without interruption for 
two miles, which brought them within two miles aud a half of Malolos. 
Here they came upon an insurgent outpost, aud beyond it they could 
see strong intrenchments. A native came forward from the insurgent 
lines under a white flag and asked for mercy for all the unarmed persons. 
Being assured that such persons would not be harmed the messenger re- 
tired to the trenches, and immediately the insurgents opened a sharp 
fire, but this was soon silenced and the trenches were captured with a 
rush. 

The troops under General MacArthur and the reserve under General 



352 CAMI'Al(;NIX(i IN LUZON. 

Wlu'atuu slept ou their arnis that uiyht aud arose at dawu, keyed up for 
a desperate battle. After a hasity breakfast iu the early morn- 
ing the troops formed iu Hue ready for the attack. It was rumored at 
that hour that Aguiualdo, eouimaudiug- a force of 30,000 meu, was piv- 
paring to defeud the insurgent capital to the last extremity. General 
MacArthur, however, discredited this report, though the fact that 
Malolos, which was iu plain sight a mile and a half away, showed no 
signs of coullagrations seemed to indicate that a stroug defense would 
be made. 

Disposition of American Forces. 

The Americans were iu sjilendid shape for a rousiug attack. The 
Filipinos had retired so rapidly before the advance that their attempts 
to tear up the railway track and burn the bridges had failed, so that 
the railway was being operated to the American firing line aud tele- 
graphic communication with Manila was perfect. The navy was pre- 
pared to co-operate also. Admiral Dewey had sent the Helena with her 
ten-foot draft and her tine battery of quick-liring guns up into the shal- 
low water along the coast, and an attein])t Wixa made to bombard the 
city from the nearest ])oint. As for the men drawn up in line of battle, 
they were lit and eager to begin. 

How the Troops Were Disposed. 

The disposition of the American troojis was as follows: General 
MacArthur's division was thrown across the railway track, the 3d 
artilleiT being on the extreme left; then the 1st Montana, 20th Kansas,! 
10th Pennsylvania, 1st South Dakota aud 1st Nebraska came in the', 
order named, the last being on the extreme right. (leneral Wheat on's 
brigade, ci>mposed of the 2d Oregon, 22d infantry, l.'Jth Minnesota and 
1st Colorado, acted as support. Two guns umler Lieutenant Fleming, 
two guns under ilajor Young of the Utah battery and one Colt rai)id- 
fire gun under Lieutenant Davis of the navy, served by jackies 
from the fleet, were posted on the railroad track looking toward the 
station at Mahdos. A strong line of insurgent trenches was visible ai 
mile to the noi-lh of our position, stretching across the railway track.] 

Al (!:10 o'clock (Jeur'ral MacArthur ordered the artillery to begin.j 
For iiiilf an hour the guns she]le<1 the ins'irgenl trenches aud threwj 



^ 



CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 353 

shrapnel iuto Malolos at 3,400 yards. The fire was prdinptly retuructl 
by the Filipinos, but it speedily died down and theu ceased altogether. 

One battalion of Nebraska men began to advance on the right across 
the open plain and the example was followed at once by the Pennsyl- 
vania and South Dakota troops. In a few minutes a general advance 
was in progress. It quickly met with sharp resistance on the right. 

On the left of the railway track the Kansas troops, with Colonel Fun- 
ston at their head, and with the Montana men and the 3d artillery well 
up Avith them, moved forward through dense thickets. Uere no tire 
came from the insurgents. 

Kansans Swarm into the City. 

The advance continued cautiously. At 9 o'clock Aguinaldo's head- 
quarters were observed to be burning. Colonel Funston and his men 
then drew forward within a quarter of a mile of the citj'. Major Young 
advanced his pieces and fired two shells into the heart of Malolos with- 
out obtaining any response. 

Then Colonel Funston started on a dead run for the insurgent head- 
quarters with a small detachment cf long-legged Kansans yelling at his 
heels. Several scattering shots met them, but these did no damage and 
did not even check the headlong dash of Funston and his men. 

The American troops rushed into the main square of the city. There 
they came upon a scene of great confusion. Many buildings were on 
fire and sending up great columns of smoke. Only the Chinese inhabi- 
tants remained and they were in a state of extreme terror. 

The troops soon garrisoned the city in proper style. They found no 
insurgents within its borders, as all were fleeing to the north. 

Lawton Captures Santa Cruz. 

An army of 1,500 men, under General Henry W. Lawton, left Manila 
on the nigiit of April 9 with the object of capturing Santa Cruz, the 
Filipinos' stronghold on the eastern shore of the lake. The expedition 
consisted of 200 picked sharpshooters, chosen from various regiments 
Hawthorne's mountain battery. Gale's squadron, three troops of the 
4th cavalry, unmounted, with Bronko's and Tappan's battalions of the 



a34 CAMPAIGXIXG IX LCZOX. 

14th infantry, Linck's battalion of the 1st Idaho infantry and Fraino's 
battalion of the l.st North Dakota infantry. 

The ilolilla of twenty canoes, towed by tugs and convoyed by the 
gunboats Lajiuna <le J>ay, Oeste and Rapidan, and jirtKi'ded by tlie 
launch containing (leneral Lawton, started from 8an I'edro Macati, on 
the Kiver l*asi<j^, moving toward the lake just as evrning was setting in. 
It was a truly picturestjue scene. The men were all in high sjjirits and 
carried rations for ten days, with the lightest marching equipment. 

The journey was a short one over the bay lagoon, a freshwater sea 
which comes almost up to Manila itself. Forty-eight miles across the 
lake is Santa Cruz, the capital of tlio ])rovin(e of I.aguiia, with a pi)]iula- 
tion of about 13,000. 

The plans of the American commander worked perfecliy, with tht' ex- 
ception that the progi-ess of the expedition was delayed by the diflicult 
navigation of the river, making it nearly dawn by the time the lake was 
reached. 

The expcMlition then steamed cautiously forward, the Kapidan and 
the Oeste a mile ahead, the Laguna de Bay guarding the rear. Signal 
fires, however, were lighted on the mountain tops, giving alanii of the 
approach of the troops. 

It was noon before the white chutch towers of the city appeared in 
the shadow of the great volcanic mountain on a marshy ]dain dotted 
with occasional palm groves. 

A casco, with a force of L'OO sbarjjshooters, under Major Woisen- 
berger, was nin into a shallow inlet about five miles south of the city, 
and a few shells were sent toward the intrenchments of tlie rebels at 
the edge of the woods, sending the enemy scampering inland. 

Wade Ashore Under Fire. 

Tiicn a number of Americans jumped into the water, and, wading for 
about a hundred yards, crept forwawl and formc(l in liui', covering the 
landing of the remainder, which finished about 5 o'clock. The tliree 
troops of the Fourlli cavalry, unmounted, were sent ashore (in a danger- 
ous mai'shy jtoint, directly Sdulli nf I lie city, under fire finni the enemy's 
trenches. 

Meanwhile in the (own itself there was utter silence and not a sign 
i>f life. Cleneral Lawton, desiring to make an inspection and to give the 



CAMPAIGNING EST LUZON. 355 

inhabitants an opportunity to snn'cnder, went on board the Lagnna de 
Bay, and steamed .slo\Yly to the dock, the whole fleet watching anxiouslj-. 
When it was discovered by the glasses that the trenches and stone build- 
ings were swarming with white-clad soldiers tiie boat withdrew, receiv- 
ing volleys from the trenches thrown up on the marsiiy plain north of 
the city. 

The flotilla anchored in compact formation for (lie night, ready to re- 
sist any surprises from the gunboats supposed to be in the lake. At 
sunrise the following day the assault commenced. The American 
line south of the city stretched two. miles inland, and with its left sweep- 
ing the shore it moved north, while the Fourth cavalrymen on the point 
advanced toward the city, pouring volleys upon the trenches. Simul- 
taneously the gunboats hovered along the shore, shelling the woods 
ahead of the troops and driving the Filipinos inland. The Gatlings 
cleared several trenches. 

The whole brigade was divided into squads of twelve and the fighting 
was carried on in the old-time frontier fashion, from behind trees, crawl- 
ing through bushes or rushing across the open. The trenches that were 
not cleared by the gunboats gave considerable resistance w^hen the line 
was nearing the city, and the Laguna de Bay and Oeste bombarded for 
an hour in thehoi>e of making them too warm for occupancy, but did not 
succeed in clearing them entirely. 

General Lawton, with the Fourteenth Infantry Battalions, ap- 
proached a narrow iron bridge across a creek on the south border of the 
town. Here a company of Filipinos was intrenched across the stream 
and behind a stone barricade at the entrance to the bridge. The Ameri- 
cans rushed foi-ward in single file, in the face of a galling fire, demol- 
ished the barricade with their hands and drove the enemy from the 
trenches, killing a dozen. 

The Filipino soldiers in the town, secreted in various buildings and 
firing from the windows, gave the invaders an interesting hour. There 
was a regiilar nest of them in the stone jail, which is hedged in by a wall. 
This was a veritable pepper pot. The Americans, singly or in pairs, en- 
tered the houses, and many warriors were taken prisoners. 

A considerable body of Filipinos fled northward, crossing the open 
marshes, but the Gatlings poured upon them a deadly hail until they 
disappeared in the woods, slaying dozens. Major Weisenberger de- 
ployed the shai-pshooters along the shore, and they crept steadily for- 



356 CAMPAIGNING IX LUZON. 

ward, aiding the Gatlings. Finally a large body was sent against the 
enemy, driving tliein toward the mountains. 

Lawton Makes Use of the Palace. 

General Lawton established iK-aihiuartcrs at the elegant palace of 
the Governor, and a guard was ininuMiiately phucd in the church, as 
the sacred edifices are always the first <ibjective of looters. Within an 
hour the town was patrolled and all looting rigidly prevented. Almost 
all the inhabitants had fled during.the two preceding nights and only a 
few Chinese shopkeepers emerged from hiding and resumed business. 

On the marshes north of town were found forty dead Filipinos, some 
terribly torn by shells, and many others wounded, to whom the Ameri- 
cans offered their canteens, as though they were comrades. 

The enemy lost in the day's fight 150 killed, imluding Paole Aguirre, 
one of their bravest and best leaders, and twelve other nflirers of minor 
rank. 

General Lawton's flying ecduiun followed up the taking of !<.;nta 
Cruz by the capture of Paganjan. The Filii)inos al ihat place offered 
practically no resistance. The American forces were llun rushed for- 
ward down the Lumbarg Kiver and found the insurgents assembled in 
considerable numbers at the village of Lumbarg, which commands the. 
mouth of the river. Here the enemj' had placed obstructions which pre- 
vented the passage of the American gunboats. Shells were thrown suc- 
cessfully from the Laguna and the main forces of the insurgents were 
driven out. Only a small number remained to opi)ose the entry of the 
Americans. These few took a determined stand within an old clnircli 
and valiantly maintained a steady firing upon the Americans. 

Finally some of our men were rushccl forward by land, and I here was 
a lively skinuish, in which several Filipinos were killed and about fifty 
taken prisoner.^. Lieutenant Southern, of the AVashington volunteers, 
was wounded in the arm, but that was the only casualty suffered by the 
Americans. Six launches and two cascoes were caiitnrcd from t!ic 
enemy. <lfniral Lawton, afln- leaving a strong guard, reliniied wiili 
the remainder of his coluinn to Sanfa Cruz. 

The Americans, who had been congratulating theinselxcs that I lie 
Filipinos north of Manila were thoroughly whii)]ied, luid tlieir hopes 
completely dashed by an offensive outbreak «>arly on the morning o( 






CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 357 

April 11. The enemy made a carefullj planned attack on Mac-Arthur's 
men, wlio had been guarding the railroad line between Malolos and 
Manila. Shortly after midnight signal rockets were displayed along 
the foothills west of the railroad. The attack began immediately. 
While there was fighting all along the railroad line, the Filipinos had 
massed their men at two points — Bocave and Marihio. 

The fighting was sharp and quick. Five American soldiers v'ere 
killed and fourteen wounded. Before the Filii)inos were repulsed they 
succeeded in cutting the telegraph wires in several places between 
Bocave and Marilao. They also tore up part of the railroad track. As 
day broke the insurgents retreated to tlie foothills. 

In the Enemy's Trap. 

On April 12 Admiral Dewey sent the Yorktown to Baler, on the 
east coast of Luzon, for the purpose of rescuing and bringing away the 
Spanish forces, consisting of eighty soldiers, three officers and two 
priests, who were surrounded by 400 Filipinos. The Yorktown, on 
arriving off Baler, sent up the river a boat containing fifteen men, under 
command of Lieutenant J. C Gillmore. 

On April LS Admiral Dewey cabled the War Department at Wash- 
ington, that Lieutenant Gillmore and his crcAV had been ambushed, 
fired upon and captured, and that their fate at that time was unknown. 
On April 20 Correspondent McCuteheon cabled as follows: 

"I inteniewed Admiral Dewey today as to whether he intended to 
send an expedition to Baler to punish the insurgents for the killing or 
capturing of Lieutenant Gillmore and the sailors from the Y^orktown. 

"The Admiral's answer came quickly and decisively. 'Of course,' 
he said. Then he added that the plans for the expedition to Baler still 
were incomplete, but that he intended to send an expedition there which 
would not only release the Spanish garrison, but which would punish 
the insurgents thoroughly for the treatment they had accorded Lieu- 
tenant Gillmore and the men of the Y^orktown. 

"Admiral Dewey would not say what he believed had been the 
fate of Gillmore and the sailors. He said he supposed they had been 
either killed or captured. It could easily be seen from his manner 
that he believes the American sailors are dead. It is probable that 
the punitive expedition will start within a few days. 



358 CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 

"During the interview Admiral DeAvey talked of the expedition to 
IJaler, whiih is on the east toast of Luzon, lie said the Yorktowu 
was dispatrlu'd to Baler on a mission of mercy to rescue forty Spanish 
sailors and three priests, who were belea<^uered in a church. On 
arriving at llaler Lieutenants (Jillmore and Standley took fourteen 
sailors in a steam launch to make soundings. The lauuch was armed 
with a machine gun. 

"Lieutenant Standley lauded aud asceuded a hill to recouuuiter, 
and the launch disappeared behind a bend in the river, continuing the 
soundings. Presently Standley heard a volley of musketry. Three 
more volleys followed, and then loud cheering. Ue did not hear the 
machine gun lire at all. He tried to get to the scene of the fighting, 
but could not locate the launch. Over the brow of the hill he could 
see a church in the distance. A Spanish Hag was floating over it. 
Not being able to see or hear more of the Americans in the launch, he 
retuiTied to the Yorktown. A scouting party was immediately sent 
out from the cruiser. 

"For two days a search was continued for the missing men. Not 
a trace could be found of them. Then t lie Yorktown ret urned to Manila 
aud reported their disappearance. 

"Admiral Dewey is unable to exjdain the fate of the party. He 
said he supposed they had been captured or killed either by insurgents 
or Spaniards. He could not say which. 

"I also secured an interview with (Jeneral Itios, wlio was ignorant 
of the fate of Lieutenant (Jillmore and his companions. He was greatly 
surjjrised that tiie Americans should have been attacked. (Jeneral 
Uios told me that last January he had tried to notify the garrison at 
IJaler that the Spanish-American war was ende<l, and so arranged 
with Aguinaldo to send a lieutenant in the Spanisli army with the 
jiiessage. He was to be accomjianied by Filipinos. He was never 
heard of afterward. (Jeneral lUos said he supjiosed that the garrison 
at Ualer had either refused to accept the message as authentic, sus- 
j.ecting treacheiy, or that the young oflicer had been killeil by the 
I'ilipiuos. 

General Rios Surprised. 

"He was greatly surprised at Lieutenant Standley's story of seeiug 
a Spanish flag Hying over llir cliurch, and said that the only exiilanatioii 



CAMPAIGNING IN LUZON. 350 

he could offer was that the gamson still believed Spain was at war 
with America. If the Spaniards attacked the launch he said it was 
because of the ignorance of the treaty of peace on the part of the 
Spaniards and because they were not aware of the Yorktown's mission. 
Still, he said that he believed tlie launch had been attacked by insur- 
gents, as the besieged Spaniards were powerless to assume the offen- 
sive. He was unable to suggest any plan by which the Americans, 
if they be prisoners, and the Spanish garrison could be released. He 
said he believed that a cruiser belonging to some neutral power might 
be able to do so. General Rios said he understood that there were 400 
insurgents at Baler and that they had absolute control of the river 
approaches. 

"In regard to the reported arrangements for the exchange of the 
Spanish prisoners General Rios said efforts were still being made to 
effect their release. He showed me a letter that he had prepared, in 
which he made an appeal to Aguinaldo's sense of justice. He also 
pointed out to the insurgent leader that the release of the Spaniards 
would establish a bond of sympathy between the Filipinos and the 
Spaniards which might prove veiy advantageous to the insurgents in 
the future. He said he would endeavor to get this letter to Aguinaldo 
tomorrow. 

"General Rios claims to be of the opinion that the Filipinos are not 
seeking money by holding back the Spanish prisoners. He claims 
Aguinaldo and his followers do not want money. All they are fighting 
for, Rios says, is independence. He said he thought they were holding 
back the prisoners in the hope that their retention in some way might 
help the insurgent cause." 

Slain by Filipinos. 

Five Americans were killed and several seriously wounded during 
an engagement which took place on April 12 between General Lawton's 
troops and the Filipinos at Paete, a town about twelve miles north 
of Santa Cruz. 

The advance guard of General Lawton's expedition had taken two 
towns on the shore of the lake north of Santa Cruz. The guard came 
upon the enemy suddenly at Paete, where the Filipinos had strong 
intrenchments across the roadway. The North Dakota volunteers. 



3<;o 



CAMPAIGNINO IN LUZON. 



wliilf avt>i(lin<;- this fire, received a cross-fire from another band of in- 
surgents who had intrenched theni>elves on a steep hill. Onr troops 
were divided into sijuads of five men and .sent up tlie hill to take these 
trenches. They encountered a deadly fire. In one squad only one man 
escaped without wounds. Finally the artillery and the guns of the 
liudads were brought to bear on the stronghold of the insurgents, and 
after one hour's shelling the Filipinos were driven back. 

(ieneral Lawton continued his march northward along the load be- 
tween the hills and the lake, with the gunboats Rapidan and Laguna de 
Bay abreast of his army. Tlie troops crossed the Paghaujan and con- 
centrated at l^ambun, at the mouth of the river. After leaving two 
companies of the Fourteenth Kegiment to guard the entrance of the 
river the troops marched to Longas and found it deserted. Furniture 
which had bcnm droppe<l in the flight of the natives was sicattered along 
the trails leading into the hills. 

The Americans entered San Antonio at sunset without meeting with 
any resistance. Twenty unarmed prisoners, bearing copies of the 
proclamation of the United States Philippine commission, which tUey 
had soraeliow secured, were afterward reli>ased and sent outside our 
lines with bundles of iiroclaniaf ions to <listribute. 

Evacuation of Santa Cruz. 



On April 1(5 General Otis ordered < Ieneral Lawton to return to 
Manila Avith his entire command, thus completely evacuating Santa 
Cruz, and the other villages taken by the expedition. (Jeneral Lawton 
obeye<l orders, but he entered a protest against the action, as he felt 
the necessity of an American garrison in 'lie towns he had captured, 
and especially in Santa Cruz. The latter place he regarded as most 
important-, as it commanded the entire Laguna de Bay district, and 
with the Americans in control they would be in a position easily 
and effectually to intercept any communication between the Filipinos of 
llie northern and southern ]iortions of the island. 

(ieneral Otis defended his order for the evacuation of tiie capture<l 
villages by declaring that he considered it impracticable to spare a 
sufficient number of troops for garrison purposes. His plan of cam- 
])aign contemplated a continuation of the fighting in the northern por- 
tion of the island, and in his opinion every man of the available force 




GENERAL LOYD WHEATON 




GENERAL FRANCIS V. GREENE 



CAMrAIGNIXG IN LUZON. 363 

was needed in that locality. Besides, General Otis argued, Santa Cruz 
and the other cities could be retaken if neces.sary during the rainy 
season, with much less difficulty than General Lawtou had encountered, 
for the reason that the water in Laguna de Bay would be deeper, making 
the transportation of troops in boats a much easier problem. 

There can be no question regarding the moral effect of the evacua- 
tion on the Filipinos. They construed it as a confession of weakness 
on the part of the Americans, an acknowledgment that they were not 
able to hold the positions taken. In consequence there was a great 
revival of confidence among the insurgents- 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 

The Personnel of the Commission — Proelamation to the Filipinos — Assurances 
of Good Will — The Siijiremacy of the United States to He Enforced — 
Honest Civil Service Promised — Industrial Pursuits to Pe Encouraged 
— The Public School System — Opinions of Leading Filipinos — No Ces- 
sation of Warfare. 

It is necessary now to turn to the work of the commission that was 
appointed by President McKinlcy for the purpose of inqnirin^^ into the 
situation as it existed in the Phili])piues and advisinji' what course our 
jijovernnient should p\irsue in dealing with the people of those islands. 

The aiTival at Manila of Professors Schurnian and Worcester from 
the United States has been mentioned in an earlier chapter, and they, 
together with Colonel Charles Denby, who was formerly our minister to 
China, Admiral Dewey and Major-General Otis composed what was 
known as the United States Philippine commission. 

Their first formal meeting was held in Manila on March 20, and an 
organization was perfected. Professor Schurraan was chosen president 
and Mr. T. R. McArthur was appointed secretary. It was decideil to 
issue a proclamation to the Filipinos informing them of the purposes 
of the commission, and President Schurman was delegated to jjrepare 
the document. 

Commission's Proclamation to the Filipinos. 

The preamble of this proclamation, which was issued on April 4, 
recited the cession by the peace treaty of the Philippine islands to the 
United States, referred to the appointment of the commission, assured 
the people of the cordial good-will and fraternal feeling of the president 
of the T'nited States and the American people and a.sserted that the 
object of the United States government, apart from the fulfillment 
of its solemn obligations to the family of nations by the acceptance of 

364 



THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 365 

sovereignty over the islands, was tlie well-being, prosperity and happi- 
ness of the Philippine people and their elevation and advancement to 
a position among the most civilized populations of the world. Continu- 
ing, the proclamation said: 

"The president believes this felicity and perfection of the Philippine 
people will be brought about by the cultivation of letters, science and 
the liberal and i>ractical arts, by the enlargement of intercourse with 
foreign nations, the expansion of industrial pursuits, by trade and com- 
merce, by the multiplication and improvement of means of internal 
communication and by the development of the great natural resources 
of the archipelago. 

"Unfortunately these pure aims and purposes of the American gov- 
ernment and people have been misinterpreted to some of the inhabitants 
of certain islands, and in consequence the friendly American forces, 
without provocation or cause, have been openly attacked. Why these 
hostilities? What do the best Filipinos desire? Can it be more than 
the United States is ready to give? They say they are patriots and 
want liberty." 

The commission emphatically asserted that it was w-illing and 
anxious to establish an enlightened system of government, under which 
the people might enjoy the largest measure of home rule and the am- 
plest liberty consonant with the supreme purpose of the United States. 

The proclamation then said there could be no real conflict between 
American sovereignty and the rights and liberties of the Filipinos, for 
America was ready to furnish armies and navies and all the infinite 
resources of a gi'eat and powerful nation to maintain its rightful su- 
premacy over the islands; so it was even more solicitous to spread peace 
and happiness among the people and g-uarantee them rightful freedom, 
to protect their just privileges and immunities, to accustom them to 
free self-government in ever-increasing measure and to encourage those 
democratic aspirations, sentiments and ideals which are the promise and 
potency of fruitful national development. 

In conclusion the proclamation announced that the commission 
would visit the Philippine provinces to ascertain the enlightened native 
opinion as to the forms of government adapted to the people conform- 
able with their traditions and ideals. It invited the leading, representa- 
tive men to meet the commission and declared the policy of the United 



•MG TUE I'EACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 

States in the establishment and maintenance of the government was to 
ronsuit the wishes and secure the advice and co-operatictn of the people. 

Intentions of the United States. 

The proclamation contained ideveu ai'ticles, declaring America's in- 
lent ions as follows: 

"1. The supremacy of the United States must and will be enforced 
throughout everj' part of the archipelago. Those who resist can accom- 
plish nothing except their own ruin. 

"2. The amplest libertj- of self-government will be granted which 
is reconcilable with just, stable, effective and economical administration 
and compatible with the sovereign rights and obligations of tlic United 
States. 

"3. The civil rights of the Filipinos will be guaranteed and j)ro- 
tected, their religious freedom will be assured, and all will have equal 
standing before the law. 

"4. Honor, justice and friendshii> forbid the exploitation of the 
people of the islands. The purpose of the American government is the 
welfare and advancement of the Philippine people. 

".■». The United States government gimrantees an honest and elVeci- 
ive civil service, in which to the fullest extent prarti(al)le natives sliall 
be employeii. 

"(». The collection and application of taxes and otlier revenues will 
be put upon a sound, honest and economical basis. The public funds, 
raised justly and collected honestly, will be ap])lied only to defraying 
the jirojx'r exi)enses of the establishment and the maintenaiu'e of the 
I'hilip]tine government and such general improvements as jjublic in- 
terests demand. Local funds collected for local jiurposes shall not be 
diverted to other ends. With such prudent and honest fiscal adminis- 
tration it is believed the needs of the government will in a short time 
become compatible with a considerable reduction in taxation. 

"7. The establishment of a pure, speedy and effective administrali(ui 
of justice, by which the evils of delay, corruption and exploitation will 
be effectively eradicated. 

"8. The construction of ro;i<ls, railroads an<l other means of com- 
munication and transpr)rtation and other public wiu'ks of manifest 
advantage to the people will be promoted. 



THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 367 

"9. Domestic and foreign trade and commerce and other industrial 
pursuits and tlie general development of tlie country in tlie interest 
of its inhabitants will be the constant objects of solicitude and foster- 
ing care. 

"10. Effective provision will be made for the establishment of ele- 
mentary schools, in which the children of the people will be educated. 
Appropriate facilities will also be provided for higher education. 

"11. Reforms in all departments of government, all branches of the 
public service and all corporations closely touching the common life 
of the people must be undertaken without delay and effected conforma- 
bly with common right and justice, in a way to satisfy th^ well-founded 
demands and the highest sentiments and aspirations of the Philippine 
people." 

Another Manifesto from Horg Kong. 

The Filipino junta in Hong Kong regarded the proclamation of the 
United States Philippine commission as objectionable and issued a 
statement saying: "It is a tissue of generalities, bristles with pharisa- 
ism and cant, vaguely promises much and grants nothing to the Fili- 
pinos, who are tired of promises and surfeited by Spanish promises simi- 
lar to the American." 

Continuing, the statement read: 

"The proclamation proves that the fair promises of independence 
under a protectorate and President McKinley's declaration of the ob- 
jects of the Spanish war were only a mask of liumanitarianism to cover 
the real intention. The invitation of the United States Philippine com- 
missioners to the Filipinos to meet them for an exchange of views is 
meaningless, as during the hostilities the representative Filipinos are 
necessarily absent from Manila, assisting the straggle for independence. 
The Filipinos continue to resist violent and aggressive usurpation, not 
because they expect a complete victoiy, but to emphasize their rights 
and to protest against a ruthless invasion. We emphatically deny that 
the aims of the American government have been misinterpreted. The 
proclamation of General Otis showed those aims clearly. We also deny 
the legality of the sale of sovereignty over the Philippines by Spain, 
and we reiterate positively that the Americans began the hostilities 
on February 4. 



308 THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 



A Proclamation of Conquest. 

"Tlio prorlamatioii of rrcsidciit McKinlov's roniinission to tlio sub- 
jugated inhabitants of tlic riiilippini's was a proclamation of conciuest 
As such it grateil uik)U tiic scnsilivc ears of those Ameriivui citizens 
who still rej^ard as eternal and of universal a])idi(ation the foundatioD 
principles upon which their own institutions are baseil. The document 
lirofessed kind intentions, to be sure, and contained jji-omises of liberal 
treatment to such as recognize and bow to the supreme and sovereign 
authority of the American republic. But the spirit of kindness which 
the proclamation breathed is the kindness which the conqueror has ever 
])romised to his not too willing subjects. The proclamation recognized 
no rights of the Filipinos, nor did it deem the consent of the governed 
a matter of any importance. The cou(]uered were simply promised kind 
treatment and beueUcent government as a condition of submission to 
an outside authority. What con<iueror ever promised less? And where 
is it written in American institutions that the rule of acon<iueror con- 
trary to the willing consent of the ruled is not tyranny simply because 
beneficent ? 

"Consider these two 'regulative principles' for the gnidance of the 
United States in it.s relations with the Philippines, laid down by the 
corami-ssion as principles of 'cardinal imiwrtauce': 

"'1. The sujtremacy of the United Slates must and will be enforced 
throughout every jiart of the archi])elago, and those who resist it can 
accomplish no end other than their own riiiu. 

" '2. To the riiilippine peojjle will be granted the most amjde liberty 
and self-government reconcilable with the^ maintenance of a wise, just, 
stable, effective and economical administration of imblic alTairs and 
compatible with the .sovereign and international rights and the obliga- 
tions of the United Stales.' 

"If tlie Filipinos submit to American rule ;ind i-ecogni/.c 'oiu' .sover- 
eign rights they will be well treated. 11' not. they but accomplish tluir 
'own ruin.' Ti'uly a sentiment worthy of a Napoleon!" 

rilipinos Move for Peace. 

As soon as the proclamation was made i)ublic a number of the 
leading LMlipinos held a conference to discuss what action if any they 



THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 3G9 

should take regarding it. Mr. McCutcheon interviewed Benito Ix^garda 
as to the sentiment of this meeting and reported as follows: 

"Legarda said that twenty-tAvo of the mosi*iniluential men among the 
Filipinos met and discussed the various methods by whicli the pacifi- 
cation of the island of Luzon might be brought about. The probable 
effect of the various means considered was debated at length. 

"A committee was appointed to confer with the Philippine commis- 
sion sent here by President McKinley, the one that recently issued the 
Ijroclamation in the island. 

Propositions of the Committee. 

"The Filipino committee was intrusted to submit three proposals to 
the American commissioners. The first proposition is to the effect that 
the Americans make all concessions that are possible to the Filipinos 
and inaugurate a policy which will approach absolute autonomy as 
nearly as possible. 

"The second proposition to be made is that a delegation of Filipinos 
be sent to visit Aguinaldo after the Filipino and American commis- 
sions have met and endeavor to effect a friendly understanding between 
him and the Americans. This delegation is to explain to the insurgent 
fhief the concessions which the Americans will be willing to make and 
the policy which will be followed in the future. 

"The third proposal will be to the effect that the American commis- 
sion assure the Filipino committee that all government positions which 
are not held by Americans will be given to Filipinos and that represen- 
tatives of no other race be given any official positions. 

"I also interviewed Arevalo, who was formerly Aguinaldo's aid, re- 
garding the effect the proclamation issued by the American commission 
was having on the natives. ITe said he believed the issuance of the 
proclamation had been without effect. He said he did not think the 
proclamation was reaching the right class of people. It is Arevalo's 
opinion that if the Americans sincerely desire the pacification of the 
island they should go under a flag of truce and confer with the Filipinos. 
In this way each side would be able to convince the other that good 
faith would govern their actions. He said it was highly improbable 
that the Filipinos would take the initiative, because they were con- 
vinced that they could not hold their own against the Americans, and 



370 TUE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. 

believe that if they made the first move toward peace the Americans 
immediately would refuse to make such liberal concessions as they 
would in case the Filipinos appeared anxious to continue the fijiht. 

"Arevalo said that A^uinaldo at present was at San Mij^uel, about 
thirty-five miles north of Manila. He also claimed that General Luna 
had made his way back to Bulacan. 

Aguinaldo Probably Assented. 

"A great deal of importance is placed upon the meetinj; of the Fili- 
pinos. Legarda is one of Aguinaldo's most trusted lieutenants. lie 
has served as secretary to the insurgent leader. ITe is said to have a 
great talent for diplomacy. The fact that he attended and took a lead- 
ing part in the meeting of the Filipinos has led to the impression here 
that Aguinaldo assented to, if he did not actually instigate, the 
meeting." 

In the important disjiatch froiii Mr. McCutchcon there seemed a clear 
iudicatiun that the Filipino leader, Aguinaldo, was trying to make the 
besttenus he could with our government. The mere announcement that 
"twenty-two of the most iulluential men" in the island had met to 
discuss the terms of a p/oposed negotiation witli the American coni- 
missioners might not by itself mean anything, owing to the absence of 
names by which we might identify these would-be negotiatoi-s. They 
might or might not be persons capable of having any considerable 
amount of influence with their fellow-countrymen, and unless they were 
in such a position as would enable them to draw after tliem a very 
large following it would be worse than useless for our cominissioners 
to pay the least heed to tlii-m. Hut the presence of Legarda gave great 
importance to this news. 

All jtersons who have lived in the east and who have had oppor- 
tunities to form a correct estinuite of the Malay character, know that 
a Filipino can be effectually reached by only one argument— namely, the 
inevitable. To dire necessity he submits so readily and ungrudgingly 
that a careless observer might be led to tliink that he was more than 
usually docile and easily governed. As long as life is not made un- 
bearably hard for him he will not rebel, even though he is convinced 
that he is being unjustly treated. But, if he discovers not only that 
he is oppressed, but that his oppressors are not strong enough to liolil 



THE PEACE COMMISSION MEETS HOSTILITY. .371 

him down, he will then rebel and fight fiercely, as he did against the 
Spaniards in 1896. As in that insurrection also, when he finds that he 
has undertaken an impossible task, he straightway begins to make 
overtures toward being "pacified," as he calls it. 

Now this was exactly what Aguinaldo was trying to do in these 
negotiations. I say that it was Aguiualdo at the bottom of the move- 
ment, because it bore the earmarks of his actions. If it should appear 
that Aguinaldo personally had no connection with the meetings re- 
ferred to, his lack of participation iu the affair would not necessarily 
detract from its importance. It would merely indicate that Aguiualdo 
had lost his power over the most influential among the native leaders. 
I strongly believe, however, that young Legarda — he is only 23 years 
old — was the actual emissai'y and accredited instrument of Aguinaldo 
himself; and if this surmise should prove to be correct, it is my belief 
at this writing that it will not be long before Aguinaldo will appear 
openly in the negotiations with our commissioners — always provided, 
of course, that the latter show a reasonable combination of tact, firm- 
ness and justice. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

Brave Americans Fall iu Hattle — The Death of Colonel Stotzenberg — 
Calumpit Taken — iirilliant Work of the Kansas Regiment — How- 
Colonel Funston .Swar the River — Representatives of Aguinaldo 
Ask a Truce — General Otis' Ultimatum — A Local Filipino Govern- 
ment Receives American Sanction — Natives Return to Their Homes. 

On April 20 a force of about two hundred insurgents attacked the 
outposts of the Washington regiment, near Taguig, south of Pasig iind 
Pateros. Two companies immediately engaged the enemy and ad- 
vanced into the open iu skirmish order. The natives were checked and 
routed after two hours' fighting, leaving twelve men killed on the field 
and several wounded. The American troops also obtained possession 
of many Mauser rifles and many other weapons. Three Americans were 
wounded. 

At G o'clock on the morning of April 21 three companies of the 
South Dakota regiment marched from IJocave and in conjunction with 
three companies of the Minnesota regiment, from Guiguinto, north of 
Bocave, encountered an insurgent force numbering fully five hundred 
men when two miles out. The enemy retired three miles in fairly good 
order, in spite of the fact that the Filipinos suffered heavy losses. The 
Americans, having exhausted their ammunition, were compelled to re- 
turn to their camps. 

General Lawton took the field at daybreak April 22 with a column 
(»f troops consisting of the North Dakota regiment, two battalions of 
tlie Third infantry, the Twenty-second infantiy, two guns of Scott's 
battery, three troops of the Fourth cavalry, and Gale's squadron, 
(■(juijiped in light marching order. This force startcnl at 5 o'clock this 
morning over the Novaliches road, traversing the country previously 
cleared of insurgents, but subsequently reoccupied by them. 

The Dakota regiment first encountered the enemy in front of 
Novaliches, at 8:15 a. ra. The natives oj)ened fire on our troops, but 
their fire was silenced fifteen minutes later, the enemy retiring in bad 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAK. 373 

order, and the Americans advancing along the rough roads around 
Novaliches. They were considerably annoyed by the fire of the native 
sharpshooters from the jungle for two hours. 

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the insurgents were in full flight, 
leaving many dead on the field, and our troops were compelled to take 
a brief rest in the shade, as the heat was overpowering. 

Brave Americans Killed. 

One of the most furious battles of the war was fought on April 23, 
and for the first time the insurgents forced the American troops to 
retreat. Colonel J. M. Stotzenberg and Lieutenant Sisson, two brave 
officers of the First Nebraska volunteers, were pierced through the 
heart by insurgent bullets in the terrific engagement. Six other Amer- 
ican soldiers were killed, while forty-three were wounded before the 
insurgents were driven back. The scene of the battle was Quingua, 
five miles northeast of Malolos. 

Major Bell of the Fourth United States cavalry was ordered to make 
a reconnaissance in order to develop the strength of the enemy near 
Quingua. He took Lieutenant Rutherford and sixty-one men of the 
Fourth cavalry. At daybreak this little body of Americans reached 
the Filipino position. Major Bell and Lieutenant Rutherford, with five 
men, went ahead of the rest of the reconnoitering party. The insurg- 
ents saw them, but withheld their fire, evidently expecting that the 
remainder of the company would soon come within range. 

Major Bell's orders from General MacArthur explicitly instructed 
him to ascertain" the strength of the enemy. The remainder of the 
cavalry was advanced. As soon as the little command came mthin 
range the insurgents opened with a hot fire. One American soldier 
was killed and five wounded by the first volley. 

Major Bell immediately sent for reinforcements. The cavalry held 
its ground bravely. The insurgents fought like demons. The Filipinos 
sent cauoeloads of soldiers down the river. These landed on both the 
right and left sides of the American soldiers, surrounding them on 
three sides. They were forced back, but they fought hard for every 
inch of ground which they gave to the enemy. 

The Filipinos followed up their advantage. They had driven Major 
Bell and his men nearly three-quarters of a mile from Quingua when 
Major Morford, with a battalion of the First Nebraska volunteers, has- 



37i CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

tened up to the assistance of the retreating cavalrymen. Instead of 
the new troops changing the tide of battle and causing the Filipinos to 
retreat, the insurgents held their ground and fought the more savagely. 
Next two companies of the Iowa regiment advanced to the fighting 
line, but later they were withdrawn, being on guard duty. The rest 
of the Nebraska regiment next came up. General Hale arrived shortly 
afterward with the rest of the lowans. The Americans were ordered 
forward to take the positions which the insurgents were holding. 

Killed Leading His Regiment. 

Just as the forward movement began. Colonel Stotzenberg came 
dashing up and took his place at the head of his regiment. He had 
just returned to Malolos from Manila, where he had been visiting his 
wife. He heard of the battle, rushed to Quingua and reached his men 
in time to lead them in the storming of the insurgent trenches. During 
this charge in the withering hail of bullets, Colonel Stotzenberg was 
shot. He dropped dead within a few yards of the trenches. 

Three guns from the Utah artilleij reached the fighting ground 
just as the Nebraskaus were making their charge. Their advance, 
assisted by the shells from the artillery, broke the resistance of the 
insurgents, and after half an hour more of fighting they were driven 
from Quingua. 

Of the members of the Seventh cavalry which came up with General 
Hale, three were killed and five wounded. Several members of the 
Iowa troops were wounded. The total American loss was eight killed 
and forty-three wounded. Fifteen dead Filipinos were found in the 
trenches, but their loss was comparatively small, as they were pro- 
tected during most of the battle. 

Major Hell's horse was shot from beneath him. The bullet passed 
through Major Bell's legging. Major Mallory's horse also was killed. 

The members of the Nebraska regiment are ovenvhelmt^d with grief 
over the loss of their colonel. Colonel Stotzenberg was noted as an 
absolutely fearless officer, and his regiment considered his loss irre- 
parable. General Hale's brigade continued to advance the following 
morning. It consisted of the First Nebraska, First South Dakota and 
Fifty-first Iowa regiments. They marched, swam and waded their Avay 
across the Bagbag river, encountering the insurgents at the river ford. 
A sharp fight followed, in which nearly fifty Filipinos were killed. One 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 375 

American, a member of the hospital corps, fell during the engagement. 
Finally the insurgents retreated toward Calumpit, while General Hale's 
men followed, driving them from one position after another. 

In the meantime General MacArthur was at Malolos with Wheat- 
on's brigade ready to march at a moment's notice toward Aguinaldo. 
General Hale's fight, however, delayed the advance down the river to- 
ward Calumpit, which is seven miles northwest of Malolos. General 
MacArthur was therefore not able to keep up with General Hale, who 
was within a quarter of a mile of Calumpit early in the afternoon. 
When General MacArthur heard of the manner in which General Hale 
had progressed, he was greatly pleased. He said the Hank movement 
which General Hale had made had had the effect of surprising and 
absolutely demoralizing the insurgents. 

The Taking of Calumpit. 

After a series of brilliant and daring forward movements, the Amer- 
icans took and occupied Calumpit on April 2(5. The Filipinos set fire 
to the town before they left, and the Americans found the houses burn- 
ing when they dashed up the village streets after the insurgents. 

The insurgents continued their policy of retiring from one position 
after another after inflicting the greatest possible damage upon the 
advancing army. Their forces were well drilled, and every foot of the 
ground was tenaciously disputed by thoroughly organized troops, who 
stood remarkably firm, even before artillery. 

The enemy had planned to wreck our artillery transport train. This 
attempt was a failure, but a span of the iron railway bridge over the 
river was destroyed, hampering the American transportation for some 
time. The Filipinos cut the girders, intending to have the structure 
fall with the train, but it collapsed prematurely of its own weight. 

Well Fortified by Insurgents. 

The Bagbag river, which is about a hundred yards wide at that 
point, was splendidly fortified, and the Americans were compelled to 
approach across an open space from which the natives had cleared 
every obstruction to sight. The bank of the river, a high bluff, was 
surmounted with trenches, capped with rocks, loopholed and partly 
hidden by bushes. 



376 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

General Wheaton's brigade approached the river along the railroad, 
leaving camp beyond Malolos City. General LI ale's was earlier on the 
march and sweeping westward toward the railroad. The armored 
train was being pushed by Chinamen, the Twentieth Kansas regiment 
advancing in extended order on the left and the First Montana regi- 
ment, with the Utah light artillery, on the right. 

The rapid-firing guns on the train "opened the ball" at 11:30 a. m., 
about a mile from the river, their popping alternating continuously 
with the boom of the six-pounders. The Montana regiment and the 
Utah artillery batteries at the same time entered the jungle, from which 
the insurgents, who were occupying a large, straggling village of huts, 
poured heavy volleys. In the couree of an hour the Americans had 
forced a passage through the woods to the open space in front of the 
river, and the ai-tillery, immediately on wheeling into the open, began 
shelling the Filipino trenches. 



Brilliant Work by Kansans. 

In the meantime Company K, Twentii'tli Kansas, led by C«ptain 
Boltwood, performed one of the most brilliant acliievements of the cani- 
l)aign. The regiment was being held in reserve, and Company K 
cljarged a distance of a quarter of a mile over a cornfield to the bank 
of the river, near the bridge, whei-e the insui'gents from a trench were 
peppering the train, then about 200 yards down the track. The com- 
pany found shelter in a ditch. 

Colonel FrcHlerick Funston called for volunteers to cross the river, 
and the colonel himself, Lieutenant Ball, a private of Company K, a 
private of Company E, Trumpeter Barsfield and Corporal Ferguson of 
Company- I crawled along the iron girders. 

While this was going on the men of Company K, from the ditch, 
were fusillading tlie trenches in the endeavor to divert attention, but 
the Filipinos got the range from a trench down the river, and their 
bullets soon spattered the water under the structure. 

Having reached the broken span, the small but valorous party of 
Americans slid down the caisson, swam a few yards to the shore and 
crawled up the bank, the little colonel leading the way to the trendies, 
revolver in hand, while the few remaining Filipinos bolted. 

Colonel Funston said afterward: "It wasn't much to do. We knew 



CONTINtFATION OF THE WAR. 377 

they could not shoot straight, and that our boys would attend to them 
while we were crossing." 

Hard Fight for Hale's Troops. 

General Hale's troops, on the right, had the hardest fight. They 
followed the north bank of the river nearest the town from the east, 
with the First Nebraska regiment on the left and the First South 
Dakota and the Fifty-first Iowa beyond. The country to be traversed 
was mostly jungle, but the Filipinos stood their ground even in the 
open spaces. 

General Hale's right joined General Wheaton's left soon after noon, 
a curve in the river enabling the Americans to pour an enfilading fire 
into the enemy's trenches. About this time the cheers of the Kansas 
troops announced that the Americaxis had crossed the river. General 
Hale's men began to ford the Chico, a branch of the Bagbag, stretching 
to the northeast. The general himself plunged in up to his neck, and 
the regiments, all carrying flags, floundered across the stream. The 
guns of the Utah light artillei-y were dragged over next and formed 
into an extended line to advance upon the trenches before Calumpit, 
from which the Filipinos were pouring continuous volleys. 

The armored car had one man killed and two wounded. The Kan- 
sas regiment had three wounded during the charge, and the Utah light 
artillerj' one killed and two wounded. Most of the other casualties 
befell the South Dakota regiments. 

The fighting was resumed at 6 o'clock the following morning. Dur- 
ing the night the American engineers repaired the Bagbag bridge, thus 
enabling our troops to cross the river. 

General Wheaton's brigade advanced in extended order, with the 
Kansas regiment to the west of the railroad and the Montana regiment 
to the east of it, and took up a position covering one and a half miles 
OE. the south bank of the Rio Grande. On the opposite bank were 
fortified trenches, from which a few American soldiers would have 
been able to defy thousands, so strongly were they constructed. 

Found Trenches Deserted. 

The Americans found the trenches on the south bank of the river 
deserted, which furnished them with cover from which they could pick 



378 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

off Filipinos whenever one of them showed his head. When the natives 
began firing, two puffs of smoke, simultaneously, from the trenches on 
each side of ihe railroad track, showed they were using cannon, which 
was a genuine surprise to the Americans. Several shells bui-st close 
to General Wheaton's staff, but it seemed that the Filipinos failed 
to master the machinery of modern shells, as they were unable to get 
the right range. 

The taking of the bridge over the Rio Grande at Calumpit, the most 
strongly defended position held by the insurgents, on April 27, was 
a deed of astonishing daring. This bridge was the most valuable strat- 
egic point in Luzon, and the fact that it was guarded by the most trust- 
worthy and best disciplined regiments of the Filipinos made the feat 
the more noteworthy. 

It was a red letter day for the Twentieth regiment of Kansas volun- 
teers, commanded by Colonel Funston. One hundred and twenty men 
belonging to that regiment crossed the river in the face of a deadly 
fire from 3,000 insurgent Mausers. This torrent of bullets was aug- 
mented by the fusillade of a Maxim gun, of which the Filipinos had 
obtained possession. 

Colonel Funston, with only nine men, charged the trenches manned 
by thousands of insurgents, discharging their rifles as they ran up 
the embankment. The American artillerj- on the south shore of the 
I{io Grande poui-ed shot and shell into the insurgent stronghold, until 
the natives were stampeded and retreated north towards Bacolor. 

The Gateway to Luzon. 

In order to give an adequate idea of the bravery of our troops and 
the extraordinary character of their achievement, it is necessary to 
describe the defenses held by the Filipinos and the topography of the 
countiy. The bridge where the desperate fighting took place is about 
one hundred yards long. It extends over the Kio Grande and is the 
gateway, practically, to the entire northern portion of the island of 
Luzon. All the ties and rails had been removed from the structure, 
making it almost impossible to cross, as the men had to creep along 
the iron framework. 

At the further end of the bridge, opi)osite Calumpit, were carefully 
constructed and formidable earthworks, which seemed almost impreg- 
nable. They were in the form of semi-circular trenches with roofs of 





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GEN. CHARLES KING 

In dress worn at the installation of President McKinley. 



CONTINUATION OP THE WAR. OSl 

steel rails around the approach of the bridge, forming a splendid pro- 
tection against bursting shells, and for a time they made the work of 
the artilleiy almost futile. These earthworks extended for a long 
distance in either direction, and were evidently the work of many 
weeks. An old Spanish cannon was mounted near the railway, with its 
muzzle pointed south towards Calumpit, 

About three hundred yards west of the railroad, on the north shore 
of the Rio Grande, a deep, narrow stream empties into the river. Be- 
yond this are other trenches commanding the south shore of the river. 

Position of the Opposing Forces, 

The American forces occupied the south shore, within fou.r hundred 
yards of the insurgent earthworks. One gun from the Sixth artillei^ 
and one revolving cannon were stationed in a freight-house near the 
bridge. Another piece from the Sixth artillery and one of the revolv- 
ing guns belonging to the Utah battery, under Lieutenant Fleming, 
were stationed three hundred yards west, on the bank of the Rio 
(Irande. Then three of the heavy guns of the Utah battery and two 
Gatlings under Major Young were placed at short distances east of the 
railway at point-blank range of the insurgent trenches. The Kansas 
regiment was west of the railroad track, while the First Montana vol- 
unteers were on the east side. In the early morning the Filipinos 
began a steady fire from both their infantry and artillery. Most of it 
was directed upon the freight-house where the Sixth artillery gun was 
stationed. The Americans, however, returned such a heavy fire that 
the insurgents were obliged to keep beneath the cover of their earth- 
works. 

It was during this fire that Colonel Funston and his one hundred 
and twenty Kansans performed the exploit of the day. 

They marched down to the river, a distance of three hundred yards 
from the freight-house, in plain view of the insurgents. Immediately 
the Filipino fire was directed upon the Kansas men. Colonel Funston 
and his men were prepared to cross the river so that they could make 
a flank attack upon the insurgents in the trenches. 

Privates White and Trembly of Company D of the Kansas regiment 
stripped off their uniforms, jumped into the river and swam directly 
toward the Filipino breastworks. Almost immediately they drew the 
fire from the trenches of the insurgents, but evidently they had not 



382 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

been noticed at the end of the bridge. The latter were fully occupied 
by the artillery and infantrj' fire of the Americans. 

Natives Scared by the Din. 

When White and Trembly reached the shore they carried a rope 
to the beach, tied it to an upright of the bridge, and by making a 
tremendous noise frightened the insurgents out. They had no arms, but 
they threw clods of dirt into the trenches and kept up such a terrific 
j-elling that they thought a whole company was upon them. All this 
time Colonel Funston and his men on the south shore of the river kept 
up a steady fire, thereby protecting White and Trembly. Two more 
Kansans followed in a small boat with the clothes and rifies which had 
been stripped off by Trembly and White, but the boat capsized. Its 
contents were lost and the two men in it were obliged to swim for 
their lives. 

Colonel Funston in the meantime followed on a raft with about 
twenty men. Close behind him came two more rafts on which were 
thirty men. The appearance of this number revealed to the main force 
of the Filipinos the daring trick which had been practiced upon them. 
Immediately they directed a wild fire toward the rafts. It was in- 
effective. As soon as Colonel Funston reached the opposite shore with 
bis fifty men he rushed down to the small stream which empties into 
the Rio Grande about three hundred yards from the railroad bridge. 
His men were yelling like demons. They were pouring a terrific en- 
filading fire into the main trenches of the insurgents across this small 
stream. 

The I'ilipinos became panic-stricken. There was a regular stam- 
pede. When Colonel Funston saw them running he searched for some 
place to cross, and in so doing got under fire from several hundred in- 
surgents who had retreated some distance from the smaller stream, 
A Maxim gun was opened on them from a different direction and this 
cross-fire compelled them to retire. When the Maxim ceased the Fili- 
pinos returned. 

Finally Colonel Funston found a small boat, and with Captain 
Orwig and eight men crossed the small river and with this handful of 
volunteers charged straight into the heavy trenches held by the Fili- 
pinos. They chased the insurgents out of their protected position and 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 3S.3 

by the time Colonel Funston reached the railroad the Kansas and 
Montana troops began creeping across the bridge. 

The Insurgents Demoralized. 

It was thoiigiit the insurgents had fled. They were noticed, how- 
ever, in a big field to the rear of their intrenchments forming a long 
skirmish line. Several hundred of them prepared to advance. They 
appeared greatly demoralized, however. Two generals on horses gal- 
loped wildly back and forth endeavoring to restore order. 

They finally got the Filipinos into fairly good order as a skirmisli 
line. The generals could be seen by the Americans urging their men 
to advance. As the line moved fonvard the Kansas regiment opened 
fire from the position on the north bank of the Rio Grande. The in- 
surgents broke again. 

The total Filipino loss was more than forty killed and thirty-seven 
were taken prisoners during the day. The American loss was slight. 
One man was killed and one wounded in the morning fight. In the 
afternoon battle one man was killed and several wounded in taking the 
trenches. Many were overcome by the dreadful heat and long march 
to Apalit, as the advance was made during the hottest part of the day. 

General Mac Arthur said at the end of the fight: 

"While it was not a bloody engagement it was one of the most 
daring and the most magnificent that ever took place. When it is con- 
sidered that the Filipinos numbered several thousands of well-armed 
men, with almost impregnable trenches, the feat of our soldiers in 
forcing them out is almost without parallel. I want to make this state- 
ment strong. The credit of this great success is due to the daring of 
Colonel Funston of the Kansas volunteers and to the quick discern- 
ment of General Wheaton." 

Aguinaldo Asks a Truce. 

The first overture for peace in the Philippines was made April 28 
by representatives of Aguinaldo. 

The carriers of the white flag were Colonel Manuel Aguelles and 
Lieutenant Jos^ Bernal of General Luna's staff. They were met at the 
outposts in the suburbs of Calumpit and were escorted in the most for- 
mal manner to the headquarters of General Otis. 

The American commander received them pleasantly, but his face 



384 CONTINUATION OP THE WAR. 

did not disclose the jubilation he must have felt when he saw that the 
enemy had eome to him with an olive branch, tellinj;; him, to all intents, 
that the war was over. 

The officers informed (Jeneral Otis they had been directed by their 
chief to say that he desired to end the war. It was necessary for 
Ajiuinaldo, they said, to bring the matter before the Filii)ino Congress, 
and that body had been called to meet on ilay 1 to consider terms of 
peace. It was desired that the American commander should direct that 
there be no further aggressive measures on the i)art of his forces for 
two weeks in order that the congress could be brought together and the 
important matter discussed. 

General Otis heard the statements of the native soldiers with the 
greatest courtesy. 

"Tell youT General," said he, "that he must lay down his arms with- 
out any reservation whatever. I cannot recognize tlie Filipino govern- 
ment or its congress. If you wish peace, surrender. You will be 
allowed jjcrfect amnesty. There will be no i)uiiislinu-nt for acts already 
committed. America forgives j'ou. 

"The proclamation issued by my Government is sincere, and you 
shall share with our own people the fullest liberty. But now you must 
make a complete and unreserved sun-cnder. You are compelled to 
admit that you are defeattnl. 

"America did not begin this war. It was of your own making. 
There is a big army on the way from the United States and there is 
nothing for you to do but surrender. This is absolute." 

In further conversation General Otis accentuated the demand that 
there should be a complete surrender, and pointed out the futility of 
continued opposition on the part of the rebels. He undoubtedly made it 
clear to the emissaries of General Luna and Aguinaldo that he had no 
concessions to make. 

Hint of New Proposals. 

Colonel Aguelles and his companion listened with attention to the 
words of the General. It was plain that they were seriously impressed. 
The Colonel, in reply, said that he was not in a position to make a 
ileiinite answer to the demand, which was unexpected, lie said tliat 
he would return to his leader and that he and the Lieutenant uiiglit 
be expected back with another proposition. With that the inteniew 
ended. 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 385 

The two truce-bearers were sent away with a guard, although there 
was no reason to believe that they would be molested. The populace 
took the liveliest interest in their visit, but there was no demonstration. 
The two officers paid a visit to their families and called upon several 
friends. 

In spite of the peaceful overtures of their commissioners the Fili- 
pinos vigorously resisted the advance of General MacArthur's division 
from Apalit toward San Fernando, fighting desperately at long range, 
after running from trench to trench when driven out by the American 
artillery. 

The movement commenced at 5:30 on the morning of May 4. Gen- 
eral Hale's brigade, consisting of five Gatlings under command of Major 
Young of the Sixth artillery, two battalions of the Fifty-first Iowa regi- 
ment, the First Nebraska regiment and the First Dakota regiment, ad- 
vanced along the road, a few miles west of the railway line. 

General Wheaton, with Hotchkiss and Gatling guns, under the 
command of Lieutenant Naylor of the Utah light artillery, mounted on 
handcars, pushed aliead, the Twentieth Kansas and First Montana regi- 
ments deploying to the right and left when feasible. 

The country to be traversed proved to be the worst yet encountered, 
miles of marshes and many unfordable streams delaying the advance 
materially. Both brigades met with resistance simultaneously on ap- 
pi'oaching the river near San Tomas, which is about eight kilometers 
from Apalit. The center span of the railroad bridge had dropped into 
the river, and the rebels had only left a small force to check General 
Wheaton, their main body lining the strong trenches in front of General 
Hale. 

Although the attacking force poured a heavy artillery and musketry 
fire across the river, the enemy stubbornly resisted for over an hour, 
ultimately breaking when Major Young shelled their left flank, and 
then retreating along the river bank under cover. 

Retreat and Burn Villages. 

General Wheaton in the meantime tried ineffectually to draw the 
fire of the Filipinos in the trenches east of the track. So soon as they 
discovered that the nature of the countiw would permit only a few 
skirmishes on each side of the embankment the natives regained their 
courage and fought desperately for three-quarters of an hour in the face 



386 COXTINUATIOX OF THE WAR. 

of the American vollevs and a rapid-lire fusillade, until Hanked by the 
Montana regiment. Then a general scramble ensued, most of the enemy 
boarding trains that were in readiness, and the others taking the road 
to J^an Fernando, after burning the villages of 8au Tonuis and Miualiu. 

About noon (Jeueral Wheaton crossed the broken bridge, cleared 
the stragglers out of the villages and advanced toward San Fernando, 
(leneral Uale elTected a crossing simultaneously, after a slight delay 
necessary to repair a stone bridge. 

The main body of the enemy was at San Fernando under the per- 
sonal command of General Luna. After an hour's hard fighting the 
insurgents retreated in the direction of Santo Tomas, which is a mile 
west of the railway. Two companies of the Twentieth Kansas regi- 
ment pursued. A great many of the insurgents were captured and 
when the Kansas volunteers reached the main body of the enemy Cleu- 
eral Luna ordered his troops to fall back for a mile to a i)osition a mile 
east of the railroad, where the foothills forni natural intrenchments. 

In the meanwhile Law^ton's troops had advanced to Santo Tomas, 
driving the insurgents before them. Before the Filipinos left the city 
the}' fired the houses. Wheaton's brigade advanced on General Luna's 
men and a desperate stand was made. The Americans secured a posi- 
tion in the freight house of Santo Tomas, from which an effective fire 
was directed upon the Filipinos, who were more protected by their 
natural earthworks. 

After half an lioui-'s firing General Wheaton, attended by his own 
staff, and Golonel Funston, leading four companies of the Kansas regi- 
ment, made a dash across the open field. The American soldiers for- 
sook the protection of the buildings along the railroad and started on 
a dead run for the insurgents. It was a most picturesque and gallant 
charge which (Jeneral Wheaton and Colonel Funston led. Jlehijid them 
came the soldiers, all cheering and yelling for their lives. Colonel 
Funston was slightly wounded in the hand, but not seriously enough to 
.incapacitate him from duty. 

Two Americans Killed. 

The total losses of ihc day on the American side were two killed 
and fifteen wounded. In this number of wounded are included llie olli- 
cers who were struck by l''ilii)ino bullets. 

Itimiedialelv before (lie liallle of San Tomas, when General T>uiia 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 387 

saw that an engagement with the American troops was inevitable, he 
sent back an aid post haste to Bacolor, where General Mascardo was, 
demanding re-enforcements. Mascardo's reply was that he would take 
orders from no one but Aguinaldo. This defiance so infuriated Luna 
that, in spite of the impending conflict with the common enemy, he took 
1,500 of his soldieiy and made a forced march to Bacolor, intent on 
chastising his comrade-in-arms. 

Mascardo was nothing loth to fight it out, and ordered his command 
into line of battle. Shouts of hatred and defiance were heard on both 
sides. Outside the opposing forces the insurgents' camp was all con- 
fusion. Aguinaldo, terrified by the situation, ordered his chief of staff, 
Colonel Arguelles, to make peace at all hazards. The soldiers had 
loaded their pieces and w^ere waiting for orders to begin the onslaught, 
when Arguelles galloped between the lines, frantically waving a flag 
of truce. There was aJi angry conference between him and the rival 
generals. Aguinaldo was drawn into it. With all the intensity at his 
command he begged Luna and Mascardo not to plunge the Filipino 
forces into civil strife at a time when they were already broken and 
demoralized by successive defeats at the hands of the Americans. His 
entreaties prevailed for the time being. Luna sullenly returned to the 
front after the commanding general had provided him with re-enforce- 
ments and ordered Mascardo to be court-martialed for not having sent 
them at first. 

Major-General Lavrton's column advanced to a position two and a 
half miles north of Balinag on May 6. Before making a forward move- 
ment General Lawton sent back to Manila two wounded men of- the 
Minnesota regiment and one of the Oregonians who were hurt in yes- 
terday's fighting, besides twenty sick men. They were sent by way of 
Malolos. 

General Lawi:on's advance met with but slight opposition. Outside 
of Maasin 2,000 insurgents who occupied an intrenched position were 
routed in short order. 

Natives Given Office. 

The first Filipino municipal government sanctioned by the Amer- 
icans was established at Baliang on May 8. General Lawton had au- 
thorized the inhabitants of the village to select a native for mayor, and 
to elect a Filipino council, and this was done. The peaceful Filipinos 



388 COXTIMATIOX OF THE WAR. 

were mucb pleased by this concession, and hundreds of tlie refu-ices 
returned to their homes. They were given food supplies of rice 
and sugar from the insurgent stores which had been captured by (Jen- 
eral Lawton when he seized Baliang, and this policy <li(l nnuh to 
weaken Aguinaldo's power in this section of the island. 

There was a hard light May S at San Ildefonso. A reconnoiteriug 
party, consisting of one company of Minnesota volunteers and two com- 
panies from the Oregon regiment, ran into a force of insurgents strongly 
intrenched at San Ildefonso. A system of heavy earthworks extended 
from an impenetrable swamp on the left along the ridge fronting the 
town. Flanking trenches had bt-en thrown up, commanding every ap- 
proach to the village. The Americans were within short range of the 
earthworks before they were aware of the presence of the Filipinos. A 
furious fusillade came from the insurgent stronghold, and the Amer- 
icans were forced to withdraw. Major Diggles of the Minnesota legi- 
ment, was shot through the head. A corporal, belonging to one of the 
Oregon companies, received a bullet wound in the arm. 

General Mascardo's army, inspired by wine taken from the store- 
houses of Bacolor and by the general's oratory on the evening of May 8, 
attacked San Fernando. There was tremendous yelling and a great 
expenditure of cartridges by the natives, but very little result. General 
Mascardo held the outskirts of Bacolor west of the railroad. In front 
of his positions were the Kansas and Montana regiments, which occu- 
pied trenches that the Filipinos had coiistniclcti in aulicipaliou of an 
attack from the direction of the sea. 

During the afternoon General Mascanlo, willi a large retinue of olVi- 
cers, rode along the lines, frequently stoi»ping to harangue his warriors. 
At dusk a detachment of the enemy rushed toward the outposts of the 
Montana regiment, but were met by a hot fire from the Montana regi- 
ment's line. The insurgents, from trenches nearly three miles long, 
resjionded. 

Distributed Barrels of "Wine. 

After an hour's firiiig, during which one private soldier of the 
Montana regiment was wounded, the insurgents subsided, although 
they kept up a scattering fire throughout the night. Prisoners who 
were brought into the American lines said that General Mascardo dis- 
tributed barrels of wine among his soldiers, telling them that he ex- 



CONTINUATION OF THE W.XK. 3Sf) 

pected to ciiiitiirc the city of San Ft'niando. Tlic Irciulics undoiihli'dly 
saved the Aniciieans from heavy loss, tlic l)\dh'ts I'allii'L; thick about 
them dui'iug the engagement. 

The "tincdad" gunboats Laguna de Bay and Cavedonga, under eom- 
maud of Captain Grant, steamed up the Kio Grande to Galumpit May 
10, flearing the entire countiy of rebels from the bay upward. 

When the vessels reached Macabebe about 1,000 of the inhabitants 
of the place assembled upon the banks of the river, cheering the expe- 
dition lustily. Captain Grant was given an ovation when he went 
ashore. 

Many of the Macabebes said they were anxious to enter the sei^ice 
of the American navy for the campaign against the Tagols. 

A Message from Aguinaldo. 

The members of Aguinaldo's cabinet tendered their resignations on 
May 3. Coupled with the various resignations was the unanimous 
recommendation that Mabini be retained as secretary of state. The 
Filipinos claim that the motive of this wholesale resignation was to 
leave Aguinaldo at liberty to appoint a new cabinet if desired. Aguin- 
aldo, in answer to the resignations, sent a message to the house of 
representatives of the so-called Filipino government and said that he 
was satisfied with the personnel of the present cabinet. 

Then he followed with a long resume of the situation as it is at 
present. The following are extracts of the statement which Aguinaldo 
sent to the Filipino legislature: 

"You are obliged to inaugurate your difficult task at the moment of 
greatest anguish to the countrj-; when the guns of the enemy do not 
respect either life, honor or public interest. 

"The representative of the American government brought me from 
Hongkong with promises that he would aid in the reconquest of this 
country's lost liberty. Fortunately the people, anticipating my desires, 
had thrown off the yoke of Spanish domination without foreign aid. 

"Trusting in the honesty of the Americans and recognizing that our 
easy triumph was partly due to their destruction of the Spanish licet, 
I have obtained the friendship of those representatives by assuring 
them that the Filipinos preferred an alliance with America to any 
other nation. Unfortunately my efforts encountered their pretension, 



390 CUM1^UAT10>; OF THE WAR. 

wliiL-b was as inconceivable as it was firm, tliat I should be subservient 
to their orders. M}- uej,fative answer induced them to decline to recog- 
nize our government." 

Accuses "Washington Officials. 

Aguinaldo, in contiuuing his address to the legislature, accuses the 
authorities at Washington t)f jjrecipitating the i)resent hostilities with- 
out warning or without declaring war, because I'resident McKinley be- 
lieved the sentiment of the people in America was going rapidly against 
the acquirement of the I'hilijjpines. He acknowledged the superiority 
of arms, of discipline and of the numbers of the American forces. 

The Filii)iuo soldiers received warm praise in the address for their 
bravery in maintaining the unequal struggle, as follows: 

"I am deeply moved by such an exhibition of virtue and patriotism. 
I am convinced that I should not be permitted to abuse the generous 
sentiment of these unfortunate people any longer or continue to extend 
the strife and their sacrifice unless it were absolutely necessary. 

"I have solicited the members of the American Philijiiiiue commis- 
sion for a temporary but general suspension of hostilities. I did this 
in order to secure time in which to allow the Filipinos to consider the 
sad situation and debate ujKjn the guaranty of liberty which might 
be offered by our enemies, but the Americans refused to consider with- 
out previous unconditional submission to their orders. Our elTorts were 
all against any such plan, which would oblige us to recognize their sov- 
ereignty, with no guaranty except their promise of liberty. 

"I am now fully convinced that our arms constitute the sole means 
of gaining our aspirations. I believe this because for the fulfillment 
of the promises made by the American government it is necessary that 
a fornuil agreement be drawn up between the Filipinos and the Amer- 
icans. This agreement mu.st be api)roved by the American congress. 
No such document exists, nor will the Americans give the Filipinos 
time to draft one conformable with our desires and customs. There- 
fore it is evident they desire to fullill the jjromiscs they have made only 
when it is convenient to them. 

Must Keep up the Struggle. 

"It would be cruelty for us to submit with sucli indiscretion and 
.aljan<loii (lur defenseless pcniple to the merciless foreign guns and can- 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 391 

non, which would vomit their greatest abuses upon us after we had 
reliuquished our arms. You -will uudeistaud that there is uo other 
recourse for me than to maintain this struggle till death. I rest with 
the assurance that we will achieve a tiual triumph, which will be the 
more brilliant on account of the terrible obstacles we -will have ovei'- 
come. Providential events unforeseen may change the outcome of this 



Twenty American scouts under command of Captains Case and 
Berkheimer, with two companies of the Minnesota and Oregon volun- 
teer regiments, Hanked the insurgents at San Ildefonso on the morn- 
ing of May 13 and captured that place. The natives were so terrorized 
that, although they fired over 20,000 rounds of ammunition, they only 
wounded one scout. The Americans killed one insurgent officer and 
wounded six soldiers. The insurgents retreated to San Miguel, six 
miles north of San Ildefonso. 

Records that were captured indicated that one-fifth of the opposing 
insurgent force has been killed and wounded since General Lawton's 
advance began on May 1. 

Spaniards and Natives Battle. 

General Rios, Spain's military representative in Manila, informed 
General Otis that the inhabitants of Zamboanga, on the island of 
Mindanao, demanded arms from General Montero for defense against 
the American forces, but their request was refused. The natives at 
midnight then opened fire on the Spaniards with the machine guns 
and rifles stolen from Spanish gunboats. The natives were repulsed 
with great loss. General Montero, a major ftf engineers, and Captain 
Builea were seriously wounded. Lieutenant Granado was slightly 
injured, one private soldier was killed and three wounded. The na- 
tives cut off the water supply and other resources of the Spaniards at 
Zamboanga. 

The Filipinos resumed the attempt to Induce the Americans to dis- 
cuss the situation. Reyes, a young lieutenant on the staff of General 
Gregorio Del Pilar, came to General Lawton on May 13 under a flag of 
truce. He was accompanied by a barefooted bugler. The two were 
escorted to Manila by Captain Sewall of (^leneral Lawton's staff. 

Reyes told Major General Otis that Aguinaldo desired passes for a 



393 CONTINIATION OF THE WAR. 

uiilitaiT oomruissiou to come to Manila to coufcr willi the American- 
Philippine commissioners. General Otis replied that i)asses would not 
be necessary, as unarmed commissioners could enter the American 
lines. He would leave the matter, he s;iid, in (iencral Lawton's hands. 

Lawton Occupies San Isidro. 

On the morninjf of May 17 Colonel French, with the Twenty-second 
regiment, the Thirteenth Minnesota volunteers and a battalion of the 
Ore<jon re<,Mment, advanceil from Balnaste and at 9 o'clock reached 
the Filii)ino lines in front of San Isidro. Contrary to expectations, 
sli^'ht resistance was ofl'ered by the insur<j;ents. 

When the main body of (Jeneral Lawton's comuiand came up the 
forces of Colonel French had invested the town. Tliis villa<;e was re- 
garded as one of the most important points occupied by the Filipinos, 
and its capture was a decisive blow against the insuri-ectiou. 

On May 18 deneral Otis cabled tlu xvar department at AVashinfjton 
as follows: 

"Manila, May 18. — Adjutant-( Jeneral, Washin<;ton: Representative 
insurgent cabinet and Aguinaldo in mountains twelve miles north of 
San Isidro, which abandonetl loth inst., will send in commission to- 
morrow to seek terms of peace. 

"Majority of force confronting MacArth\ir at Ran Fernando has 
retired to Tarlac, tearing up two miles railway; this force has decreased 
to about 2,.j00. Scouting parties and detachments moving to-day in 
various directions, Kobbe with column at Candava on Hio (irande. 

"Cireat majority of inhabitants of jyrovinces over which troops have 
moved an.xious for peace, su])]iort('d by uH'Mibcrs insui-grul cabinet. 
Aspect of affairs at i)resent favorable. oTlS." 

Miijcir Kdlibr's biiu.idc Innk ("audiiha nil ilic iiKirniiiu nf .May IS 
willioul ojiposilion. Ca])taiu (iranl,wiili the gunl)oat Laguna dc liay, 
steamed U]) the river ah<'ad of Major Kobbe's command, and, on reach- 
ing the town, found white Hags Hying from all the windows. A Fili- 
pino school-teacher, who sj)oke English, hurried down to Major Kobbe 
and offereil to surrender the town. The insurgent governor and the 
majority of the native inhabitants had (letl fntm the village. Major 
Kobbe sent a messenger after them with the assurancr llial tiuy wmild 
be treated kindly, and a large iniiubcr returned. 




n S 



•c s 



a 5. 



^ O al 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 393 

Admiral Dewey Homeward Bound. 

The cruiser Olympia, with Admiral Dewey ou board, left Manila ou 
its homeward jouruey to the Uuited States on the afternoon of May 20. 

"Happy?" said Admiral Dewey, half an hour before sailing. 
"Happy? When I am going home after thirteen months this day? 
Happy? I cannot find words to express my joj'. I shall go first to 
Montpelier. I am sorry I could not cross the continent, but I did not 
feel equal to the strain." 

It was a magnificent scene in Manila harbor when the Olympia, 
with Admiral Dewej' ou board, started on the long voyage. Anchor 
was weighed promptly as eight bells sounded. Just as the Olympia 
started, its jackies scrambled up the rigging, manning the yards, and 
presenting a spectacle that made the blood tingle. 

As the Olympia passed the Oregon the crew of that battleship gave 
nine cheers for the Olympians, who responded by throwing their caps 
so high that dozens of them were left bobbing in the wake of the 
cruiser. 

Then followed the noisiest half hour known in this harbor since 
the battle which linked its name with that of Dewey. 

The din of guns and brass bands echoed through the smoke and the 
fleet of steam launches shrieked their whistles, the musicians of the 
Baltimore played "Home, Sweet Home," her flags signalled "Good-by," 
and those of the Oregon said "Pleasant voyage." 

The merchant vessels dipped their flags, the women on the decks 
of the vessels of the fleet waved handkerchiefs, and the great, black 
British cruiser Powerful, which lay the furthest out, saluted the 
Olympia. The lattei''s band played "God Save the Queen," and to this 
the crew of the Powerful responded with heart}- cheers for the Olympia. 

The last music heard from Admiral Dewey's ship was "Auld Lang 
Syne," while the guns from the forts at Cavite and from the Mcmterey, 
on guard off Paranaque, too far to be audible, puffed white clouds of 
smoke. The Olympia was disappearing past Corregidor Island, when 
a battery before the walled city spoke Manila's last word of farewell. 

Progress up the Rio Grande. 

Colonel Kobbe's expedition up the Kio Grande River met with no 
resistance except at the outskirts of San Luis, where several hundred 



394 CONTINTATION (>F THE WAK. 

Filipinos were intrem-lied ou Hie baulcs of the stream. » lie rebels re- 
treated beyond Candaba and the giinbuats steamed ahead, all tlie way 
traiuinj; their Gatliuy jjuns upon the banks and dropping shells wher- 
ever uniforms appearetl on the shore. The gunboats disitersed the 
insurgents before 8an Luis. 

After they had passed sharpshooters in trees aeross the river, a 
hundred yards distant, harassed the Seventeenth infantry, which was 
marehing by fours along the narrow wooded road, from whieh the 
troops were unable to see the enemy. The members of one ballalioii 
lay ou their faces in the road for a i|uai-ter of an hour trying to locate 
the rillemen and return their hre. 

The road wound close to the stream, and was in a thickly settled 
district. It was a picturesque march. Many groups of hundreds of 
natives were clustered under the trees on the opposite banks, display 
ing white shirts, towels, sheets, or anything white on poles. Some 
shouted welcomes to the American soldiers, but most of them main- 
tained a sullen silence. 

An old man in a carriage met tiie troops two miles outside of the 
town. He said: "I have lived in England, aud I have told the people 
that the Americans are like the English and that they need not be 
afraid." 

Captain (Jrant, in command of the gunboats, landed before the 
troops arrived, and met with a "Porto Kicau" welcome. The natives, 
who had assembled on the shore, crowded about the Americans with 
fulsome e.Kpressioiis of friendship, ajiparently half afraid that they 
would be massacred. 

Captain (Jrant (piickly distributed the men from the guid)oat 
I.aiiuna de Hay to giuird the town, and the natives sent a mejsenger 
to tell the people who had taken refuge in the swamps to return. Hun- 
dreds of the natives thereupon returned timidly, a man with an impro- 
vised Hag of truce (lying from a bamboo pole preceding each party. 

Leaders Terrify Natives 

A (aiiucliin i)riesl, one of the few whom the Filijiiiins iiad not 
imprisoned, was found at Candaba. lie said it was useless to try to 
convince the natives that the Americans had not come to oppress them, 
as thev believed their leadi-rs, who had strongly impressed this belief 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 397 

upon them. The walls of the towns were placarded with reports of the 
slaughter of Americans, hundreds of whom were said to have been 
taken prisoners. 

As soon as Colonel Kobbe reachcnl Sau Luis the natives raided the 
insurgents' rice stores. All day a stream of half-naked people emerged 
from the storehouse, in the manner of ants, rushing to their homes 
with bags of rice on their heads. 

Terms Proposed to Filipinos. 

On May 22, Professor Schurman, head of the United States Philip- 
pine commission, submitted the following written propositions to the 
Filipinos: 

"While the final decision as to the form of government is in the 
hands of the congress, the President, under his military powers, pend- 
ing the action of congress, stands ready to offer the following form of 
government : 

"A governor-general, to be appointed by the President; a cabinet, 
to be appointed by the governor-general; all the judges to be appointed 
by the President; the heads of departments and judges to be either 
Americans or Filipinos, or both; and also a general advisory council, 
its members to be chosen by the people by a form of suffrage to be liere- 
after carefully determined upon. 

"The President earnestly desires that bloodshed cease, and that the 
people of the Philippines at an early date enjoy the largest measure 
of self-government compatible with peace and order." 

The United States commission prepared the scheme, and the Presi- 
dent cabled his approval of the form of the document. 

The Filipinos made no definite proposition, except for a cessation 
of hostilities until they can present the question of peace to the people. 
Professor Schurman told the Filipinos they had no means of gathering 
the people together, as the Americans couti'ol most of the ports. He 
also reminded them that a liberal form of government was offered 
them, and i)ointed out that it was better than the conditions existing 
under Spanish rule. 

Gozaga, president of the Filipino commission, replied that nothing 
could be worse than Spanish rule, and admitted that the form of gov- 
ernment proposed was liberal. The civilian members of the Filipino 



398 CONTINUATION OF THE \\AR. 

♦•oinniission declined to co-operate with the other members of that com- 
mission, as the former considered Aguinaldo's hitest demand to be 
preposterous, after Major-fJeneral Otis' refusal of an armistice, refer- 
ring to his wish for time in order to consult the Filipino congress. 

Filipinos Fight Hard. 

Thirty Filipinos were killed and over sixty wounded in a battle 
which took place on the morning of May 24 between the American 
forces and the insurgents at Santa Arita, one mile north of San Fer- 
nando. The Americans lost one man. Twelve of our troops were 
wounded. 

The insurgents made the attack. About nine o'clock the Filipinos 
opened fire upon the outposts of General MacArthui-'s command. The 
American scouts fought bravely, and held the natives back until they 
were re-enforced by troops from San Fernando. 

General MacArthur at the head of two battalions of the Montana 
regiment and General Funston leading two battalions of the Kansas 
regiment, two guns from the Utah battery, one Hotchkiss and one 
Gatling gun hurried to the assistance of the outposts. 

The insurgents were occupying the trenches which they had pre- 
viously vacated at the fall of San Fernando. The Kansas troops de- 
ployed to the right, while the Montana soldiers went to the extreme 
left. The artillery was left in the center of the line. 

The Filipinos made an obstinate resistance. Finally they attempted 
to retreat, but found themselves flanked by the Kansas troops. Gen- 
eral Funston charged his men, and drove tlie insurgents right over into 
the lire of the Montana volunteers. Finally they escaped from this 
fearful fire, but they left their dead and wounded where they had 
dropped on the battlefield. 

Besides the killed and wounded, ninety were made prisoners, while 
over one hundred stands of arms were capturcnl, having been dropped 
by the natives in their wild flight from the Americans' fire. 

Fire on San Fernando. 

The insurgents made a daring attack u]>on San Fernando early in 
the morning of May 2G. This attack was one of the few in which the 
Filipinos assumed the aggressive where the American troops had a 
force of anv size. 



CONTINUATION OP THE WAR. 399 

They had crept back to the trenches from which they had beeu 
driven by Generals MacArthur and Funston, and made this attack on 
the city, which once was Agninaldo's capital. 

The" Montana regiment, under Cxeneral MacArthur, immediately left 
San Fernando and formed a skirmish line along the railroad. This 
quick move surprised the insurgents, who fell back, but all the time 
of the retreat returning fully as heavy a fire as the advancing Ameri- 
cans poured into them. 

Two companies of the Kansas regiment were rushed to the support 
of the Moutanas. The insurgents crossed the tracks to the north of the 
position taken by the American troops and made a final stand. Their 
line extended on both sides of the railroad tracks. They poured a 
heavy fire into the Montanas. A battalion of the Kansas regiment, 
under Major Watson, formed on the left flank along the railroad, while 
the South Dakotas re-enforced the outpost under Colonel Frost. 

General Hale, at the head of the Iowa regiment, swung around to 
the right. The insurgents were thus surrounded on three sides. The 
fight was fast and furious for an hour. General MacArthur was ready 
to bring the artillery into play when General Funston reported that 
the Filipinos were retiring. They broke their way out of the semi- 
circle of American soldiers to the woods and broke up in small squads. 
When daylight broke it was ascertained that the insurgents had carried 
many of their wounded with them to the woods while still protected 
by the darkness. 

A Victim of Trea-shery. 

On May 27 the cable ship Recorder," which was engaged in picking 
up the broken cable connecting the islands of Negros and Cebu, entered 
the harbor of the town of Escalante. Captain Tilly, who was on the 
Recorder for the purpose of observing the work of the signal corps in 
repairing the broken cable, and a party of the ship's officers went 
ashore in the launch. A flag of truce was hoisted by the natives on 
shore, and the Americans, thrown off their guard, sailed boldly to the 
shore and disembarked. The insurgents waited until the entire party 
had landed, and then treacherously poured a murderous volley into 
the little party. 

Captain Tilly and the second mate threw themselves into the water, 



400 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

hoping to escape from the bullets. The commander, heedless of the 
great danger, reached the launch again and put off from the bank, lie 
thus saved it from being captured. In the meantime the bullets fell 
like rain about the fugitive Americans. 

The second officer was picked up by the launch just as he was sink- 
ing from exhaustion, but Captain Tilly sank before aid could reach him 
and was drowned. 

Memorial Day in Manila. 

Memorial day was celebrated at Battery Knoll, where Scott's guns 
were planted against the Filipino trenches in the first day's fighting at 
Manila. Nearly three hundred soldiers lie buried there on a black 
mound, surrounded by rice fields, rough boards marking the graves, 
which are ranged in five unbroken rows. Beyond these are Spanish 
blockhouses and bamboo hedges, which were mown by shells from the 
American guns. 

The few soldiers who could be spared from the trenches came to 
Battery Knoll dusty and bronzed, bearing flowers with which to strew 
their comrades' graves. A silk flag was placed above each mound. The 
day was as mild as a New England spring day. Just before sunset a 
few hundred Americans gathered in a circle around Battery Knoll in 
blue and brown uniforms. Among the soldiei's were groups of Amer- 
ican ladies, and brown-faced natives peering curiously at the unwonted 
spectacle from points near by. The guns of the monitor Monadnock, 
bombarding I'arauaque, boomed a significant reminder of the nearness 
of war. Just as the Sixth artillery band began a dirge, the thunder of 
the Monadnock's guns ceased, while taps sounded from the bugle. 

Colonel Charles Denby, of the United States Philippine commission, 
presided at the exercises, lie spoke briefly of the peculiar solemnity of 
the day to Manila. The chaplain of the British cruiser Powerful 
offered up an invocation. Chaplain Pierce, of the T^-enty-third infantry, 
and Chaplain Cressey, of the Minnesota volunteers, delivered orations, 
and the soldiers sang appropriate hymns. After taps had been sounded, 
soldiers took the flags from the graves to send to relatives of the dead. 
Similar services were held over the dead in the Paco cemetery. 
Colonel Denby was the orator on this occasion. The graves were decor- 
ated with a vast number of flowers. 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 401 

High mass for the dead of the Roman Catholic communion was, cele- 
brated at the Paco cemetery in the morning. Orations were delivered 
by Fathers McKinnou and McQuade and Chaplain Stevenson of the 
Idaho regiment, a Methodist, and Peter McQueen, a Congregational 
clergyman of Boston. 

Most of the business places in Manila were closed in observance of 
the day. The American and many foreign flags were displayed at half- 
mast. The graves of soldiers and sailors buried at Cavite and Iloilo 
were also decorated. 

Battle Near Manila. 

General Hall's column, consisting of a part of the Fourth cavalry, 
the Oregon and Wyoming volunteers, the Ninth infantry, and guns of 
the First and Sixth artillery, crossed the San Mateo river early in the 
morning of June 3, and about noon easily repulsed a large band of 
Filipinos about twelve miles east of Manila, between Mariquina and 
Antipolo. 

A running fight was in progress all the afternoon. A Filipino out- 
post first attacked a few American scouts, whereupon the Fourth cav- 
alry formed a long skirmish line and easily drove the insurgents into 
the hills. Then the Oregon regiment moved across a wet, soggy rice 
field, in extended order, toward the hills, where it was believed a large 
force of the enemy had concentrated. When the Oregonians were within 
about a mile of the position the Filipinos opened a heavy fire, the 
Americans replying and pressing forward more rapidly. 

After a few volleys the insurgents were seen scattering over the 
crest of the hills in every direction, and their panic was increased when 
the artillery opened upon them and the shells began to explode all 
around them, undoubtedly causing great loss of life. The bombard- 
ment by the batteries and the musketry was maintained for nearly half 
an houi', after which not a Filipino could be seen on the hills and not 
a shot came from the position. 

The heat was intense, and the troops suffered greatly, but they con- 
tinued on the trail taken by the fleeing enemy in the hope of driving 
them toward the lake. 

Colonel Wholley, with two battalions of the First Washington regi- 
ment, a battalion of the Twelfth infantry, two guns of Scott's batterj' 
and a party of scouts under Major Jeisenberger left San Pedro Macati, 



402 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

and, after fording the river Pasig, advanced nortlieast upon Cainta, 
while Cleneral Hall approached the town from the opposite direction, 
the gunboats Napidan, Covadonga and Ceste co-operating in the river. 
This important movement was kept so secret that the public thought 
the plan was to send General Ovenshine's lines forward against the in- 
surgents, who are intrenched south of the city. 

Found Taytay Deserted. 

General Flail's column, in the movement upon the Morong penin- 
sula, completed a circuit of twenty miles over rough and mountainous 
countr}-, having two eugagements with the insurgents, one of them 
severe, and keeping up an almost constant fire against scattered bands 
of rebels for nearly twenty-four hours from four o'clock Saturday morn- 
ing, when the column left the pumping station. 

The Filipinos were driven in every direction and the country through 
which General Hall passed was pretty thoroughly cleared. At ten 
o'clock the column reached a point a few miles from Taytay, where 
General Hall was met bj' General Lawton, who had already entered 
the town and found it deserted. 

General Hall's objective point was Autipolo, ten miles off, and there 
was desultory tiring all along the line of march. The gunboats could 
be heard shelling the hills in advance of the cohnnn. 

The column, after driving the rebels from the foothills near .Maria 
Ghiuo, about noon yesterday, with a loss of but two or three sliglilly 
woundwl, proceeded with all jjossible haste toward Laguna de Bay, tlie 
Fourth cavalry in the lead, the Oregon regiment next and the Ninth 
infantry last. 

At five o'clock those three regiments fought their second battle of 
the day, and it resulted, like the first, in the complete rout of a large 
Filipino force located in the nu)untains and having everj' advantage 
of position. In this fight the American loss was four killed — three of 
the Fourth cavalry and one Oregonian — and about fifteen wounded. 
The Filipino loss conid not be ascertained, but the terrific fire which 
the Americans poured into them for half an honr must have inllictei] 
severe punishment. In this engagement o>ir troops made one of tlie 
most gallant charges of the war, and the enemy was forced to flee in 
the greatest disorder. 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 403 

It was the intention to press on to Antipolo, but this was found 
impossible, owing to tlie two fights and the constant marching for more 
than twelve hours, with nothing to eat since morning and no supply 
train in sight. The troops, moreover, suffered from the intense heat, 
many being prostrated and all greatly exhausted. Consequently they 
bivouacked for the night on the second battlefield. 

Terrific Hail of Bullets, 

The cavalry, the Oregoniaus and two companies of the Ninth in- 
fantry had just crossed a small creek and entered upon a sunken road, 
from which they were emerging upon a small valley, surrounded on all 
sides by high and heavily wooded hills, when the rebels, concealed in 
the mountains on the three sides of the plain, opened a hot fire and 
sent showers of bullets into the ranks of the Americans. The latter 
deployed immediately in three directions. 

Then followed a charge across the rice fields and ditches and up 
the hillsides, from which the shots came all the time pouring in a 
terrific hail, while the air resounded with the constant rattle of 
musketry. 

The cavalry, being in front, suffered the severest loss when the 
attack opened, two of their killed being sergeants and the other a 
private. The Oregonian killed was a private. 

The natives were unable to stand the vigorous firing of the Amer- 
icans long, and at the first sign of their wavering the cavalry, Ore- 
goniaus and Ninth infantrymen broke into wild cheers and charged 
still faster up the hillside, pouring in volley after volley, until the 
enemy left the places where they were partially concealed by the 
thicket, fled over the summit in the wildest confusion and disappeared 
in the surrounding A'alleys. 

After the fight was over the firing was continued by the Americans 
for more than an hour in clearing out the bush and driving away strag- 
gling Filipinos. 

The troops, after camping for the night on the battlefield, started 
early the following morning for Antipolo, where it was expected a 
strong resistance would be made. Antipolo is a place far up in the 
mountains which the Spaniards had said the Americans could never 
capture. It has cost Spain the lives of three hundred troops. 



404 CONTINUATION OP THE WAR. 

The progress of the column was considerably delayed while passing 
up the steep mountain grade by a small band of insurgents, but these 
were effectually routed by the Fourth cavalry, which was in advance, 
and the troops reached Antipolo in a few hours. 

Our lines were immediately thrown around on three sides of the 
town, and then the final advance was made. But it was found unneces- 
saiy to fire a shot Not a rebel was visible, and the town was entirely 
abandoned. 

Hall's Advance is Delayed. 

When General Hall reached the top of the mountain beyond An- 
tipolo his command could plainly see many natives, evidently in- 
surgents, moving rapidly in single file across the valley toward the 
northeast. The difficulty and delay in getting his wagon train across 
the mountain prevented General Hall from moving forward that day. 
He campe<l at Teresa Sunday night in consequence of this delay. That 
town was fully occupied by natives, who professed to be friendly lo the 
Americans. 

The march next morning was delayetl until the heat of the sun be- 
came terrific, and the troops in consequence suffered greatly. When 
the ad^•ance over nine miles of mountain road began the country ap- 
peared deserted, and throughout the three hours the brigade was on 
the road not a single shot was fired and not an insurgent was seen. The 
suffering of the troops was pitiable; many were overcome by the heat 
and dropped out of the ranks before Morong was reached. 

In the meantime Colonel Treumann, with the North Dakota volun- 
teers and one battalion of the Twelfth infantry, was advancing on the 
other side of the peninsula for the purpose of trapping the insurgents 
and capturing the shore battery which was posted there. However, 
his movement frightened the insurgents away on Sunday, they retreat- 
ing northward, evidently being those who were seen by General Hall 
from the mountain top making their way across the valley below. Their 
shore batterj' of two guns was also successfully carried away on carts. 
The natives at Binangonau told the Americans Monday tliat armed in- 
surgents to the number of two hundred had retreated to San Mateo, 
north of Mariquina. 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 405 

Sick and Wounded Exposed in Storm. 

Colonel Wholly and the Washington regiment returned by water 
from MoroDg to Pasig Monday, but were overtaken on Laguna de Bay 
by a torrential storm and were compelled to remain on their cascoes all 
night exposed to a cold rain, which caused much distress to their sick 
and wounded. All the men of this command disembarked safely at 
Pasig, June C. 

When General Hall and Colonel Treumann joined in the Morong ex- 
pedition their whole object was to trap the insurgents on the small pen- 
insula. They failed in this purpose, but the insurgents were driven 
northward from a large district around Morong, Antipolo and Taytay. 
The American losses in the expedition were seven killed and twelve 
wounded. The insurgent loss is unknown, though the Washington regi- 
ment found many dead natives at Morong. Hall's brigade found the 
bodies of four dead insurgents north of Antipolo. 

Native Army Flees. 

An American force four thousand five hundred strong, in a brilliant 
advance through jungle and morass, cleared the country from San 
Pedro Macati south to Paranaque, between the bay of Manila and Bay 
lake, of insurgents on June 10. 

Fierce fighting marked the movement, the United States forces 
losing two officers killed and twenty-one soldiers wounded. In one 
engagement the natives left "fifty dead behind them when they fled for 
cover. Many wounded Filipinos were picked up by the Americans and 
given medical attention. 

The overpowering heat made the day's work more difficult, fully 
forty per cent, of the force being exhausted when a halt was called at 
noon. Many prostrations were reported. Four American warships, 
including the monitor Mouaduock, shelled Paranaque, driving the in- 
surgents out. 

The movement took the natives by surprise, the American column 
leaving at daybreak cind pressing forward with all possible haste dur- 
ing the early hours of the day. Generals Lawton, Wheatou and Oven- 
shine commanded the United States forces, which by noon were within 
a few miles of Paranaque, tboir objective point. 



406 CONTIXrATIOX OF THE WAR. 

Natives Shoot from the Jungle, 

General Lawton's force consisted of two battalions each of the 
Twenty-first and Xiutb infantry, six companies of the Coloradu volun- 
teers and a detachment of artillery. The Nevada cavalry was under 
Cieiieral Wheaton and the Thirteenth and Fourteenth iufautry, the 
Fourth cavalry and a detachment of lijj^ht artillery were under (Jencral 
Uvenshine. It was scarcely dawn when the troops in a louj;, sileut 
procession wound up the hillside behind the American trenches and 
formed a skirmish line. CouceaUnl in the junj^le, the advance insurj;ent 
outposts tired a few shots before being seen. The oi)])osin,it forces occu- 
pied two raujies of crescent-shaped hills. 

General Wheaton's advance over barren ctiuntry was slow and ac- 
companied Avith j,'reat sulTering to the men. Tlie land traversed was 
high and hilly, devoid of vegetation, and the blazing sun made the 
sandy soil terrible to march over. Besides, the insurgents constantly 
harassed the soldiers from trenches located on the crests of the hills, 
from which they fired on the Americans and inllicted considerable loss. 

The Colorado volunteers led the advance of General Wheaton's 
brigade. Their march was a constant succession of gallant charges up 
the hillsides in the face of a galling fire, only to find each time that the 
insurgents had retreated to the next hilltop before the Colorado men 
reached them. These tactics were repeatctl lime and again. 

Filipinos Play a Clever Trick, 

In one instance the Filipinos resorted to a clever deception. The 
Americans were lured into the trap, and as a consequence were suli- 
jected to a severe cross-fire for a time. The insurgents had placed a lot 
of damp straw in what the Americans supi)osed was a trench along 
on(> of the hilltops. The straw was set on fire and tlie thin line of 
smoke fooled the Americans into thinking that tlie trench was full of 
Filipinos and that the smoke came from their rifles. The Americans 
made a dash for tlie supposed trench and jxiured volley after volley 
iiiicp liie position. In ihe nieantinu' the Filipinos, hidden in another 
trench, were subjecting the Americans to a galling fire. When the 
Americans discovered the hoax and started for the trendi in wliich the 
insurgents were hidden, the Filipinos retreated in safely. 

During the advance before the conjunction of ilie two brigades many 



408 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR, 

night a fearful rainstorm came up. The Americans were shelterless. 
All night long the insurgent bugles could be heard in Las Pinas. Those 
shrill blasts marked the departure of the Filipinos from the village 
before the only avenue of retreat was cut off. A big band of insurgents 
in the rear of the American lines began a derisive yelling about mid- 
night. Frequently above the other din could be heard the shouts of 
"Viva los republica Filipina!" ("Hurrah for the Filipino republic!") 

Early the following morning the troops effected a crossing over the 
Zapote river and marched into Las Pinas. Hundreds of the inhabi- 
tants were found there peaceably attending to their affairs, and all 
professedly friendly to the Americans. There were scores of young 
men of soldier age but in civilian dress who watched in silence the 
Americans enter the town. They offered no resistance, and being 
apparently friendly were not molested. The Monadnock assisted the 
soldiers by shelling Paranaque before the troops entered the village. 

A native priest said that the Filipino troops, numbering two thou- 
sand, commanded by General Norils, had withdrawn toward Bacoor 
the day and evening before. A scouting party advanced to Paranaque 
and found the same state of affairs existing there. In that village were 
hundreds of men professing themselves friendly to the Americans and 
declaring that they were noncombatants. The insurgents had con- 
structed magnificent earthworks at Paranaque, but these were aban- 
doned. They were afraid that the Americans would surround them 
and starve them out, so they made no stand there. 

General Luna Assassinated. 

The relations between Aguinaldo and General Luna had been 
strained to the breaking point because of Luna's attempts to assume 
control of affairs, and the final rupture was forced by Aguinaldo 
issuing secret orders to the provincial governments. Luna thereupon 
demanded from his chief copies of the documents. He received the 
curt reply that Luna was General of the army, and that the civil 
government did not concern him. Luna, on opening the reply at his 
headquarters in the presence of his officers, exclaimed, hotly: "He 
will be dead to-morrow." 

One officer, who was friendly to Aguinaldo, hastened to warn him, 
and Aguinaldo called together twenty trusted soldiers, fellow-towns- 
men of his, and stationed them around his house, with instructions to 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAK. 409 

kill any one attempting to enter, regardless of rank. This was ou the 
5th of June. 

Luna appeared the next day and saw Aguinaldo at the window. 
A member of the guard said: "Aguinaldo has gone to inspect the 
troops." Luna then exclaimed, "You are a liar," drew his revolver, 
struck the guard and tried to force an entrance into the house. Before 
he could use his revolver one of the guards bayoneted him, another 
shot him in the back and others stabbed him. In all he had twenty 
wounds. Luna's aid-de-camp was killed in the same way. 

Death of Captain Nichols. 

Captain Henry Nichols, the commander of the United States 
monitor Monadnock, died from sunstroke on Saturday, June 10, and 
was buried at Cavite the next day with appropriate naval ceremonies. 
The officers of the fleet were present, and the flags on all the vessels 
Avere half-masted. 

The sudden death of Captain Nichols was particularly sad, because 
it occurred just at the moment when the result for which he had hoped 
and worked for months was about to be realized — namely, the capture 
of Paranaque and its occupation by the American forces. 

The Monadnock has been lying off Paranaque for two months past, 
under fire from the rebels almost daily. The heat here has been in- 
tense and the officers and men of the Monadnock suffered greatly. The 
commander-in-chief offered to retire the Monadnock from this trying 
duty and replace her by another ship, but Captain Nichols preferred 
to remain, declaring that he did not want to leave his post until 
Paranaque fell and the coast from there to Cavite was cleared of rebels. 
The heat on Saturday was most severe and the monitor was engaged 
all day in shelling the trenches at Paranaque and the rebels fleeing 
south through Las Pinas, and also watching the American troops clos- 
ing in upon the towns. 

Captain Nichols was overcome by the heat at noon and retired to 
his cabin, where he received frequent reports of the operations and 
gave directions for several hours. He became much worse at 3 o'clock, 
lost consciousness and expired at 5 in the afternoon. Several hours 
before his death he expressed gratification at the way events were pro- 
gressing, remarking to an officer: 

'We have got the rebels there at last." 



410 CONTIXUATION OF TIJE WAK. 

Many Americans Killed. 

One of tho most vicious attacks from the iiisiiriionts <lui'inir tlio 
entire campaign was made at the Zapote river in tjjo jjrovince of Cavite 
on Tuesday, June 13. Almost to the day a year previous the insurjients 
in this province fought the greatest engagement of the Si)anish-Fili- 
I)ino war at the same place, defeating a strong force of Spaniards, 
Avhich had been sent from Manila against them. Their successful 
defense of the bridge at that time doubtless inspired them with greater 
courage than they otherwi.se would have .shown. The insurgents of 
Cavite province are the mo.st warlike of any in the island of Luzon. 
This is the province of Aguinaldo, and the men who were met and 
defeated by General Lawton's troops were those who did the severest 
fighting against the Spaniards under the direction of Aguinaldo and 
his immediate lieutenants. 

Early Tuesday morning a battalion of the Fourteenth infantry, 
which was doing outpo.st duty, was tired on from the bamboo thickets 
in its front. Thereupon Lieutenant Donovan led 150 men from com- 
panies F and I of the Twenty-first infantry to make an armed recon- 
noissance among the river bayous to locate the enemy. A native was 
found who volunteered to conduct the Americans along a practicable 
passage through the marshes. The Americans were formed in a long 
column, and advanced along a narrow strip of land lying next to Manila 
bay, and in this march they passed far beyond the insurgent trenches at 
the Zapote river. Then they struck inland, crossing dikes and broad 
ditches, and keeping at all times a sharp lookout for I lie enemy. 

Americans Nearly Overwhelmed. 

Suddenly they .stumbled on the insurgents' tlank, and straightway 
the enemy poured a terrific fire into them, which created consternation. 
The center of the American column broke under this attack and re- 
treated. The two ends of the column, however, stuck to their positions 
and fought manfully against an overwhelming force. The insurgents 
rushed through the broken center, cutting off the American .soldiers 
at the right end of the column from the rest of the troops. Thus 
hemmed in by enemies on all sides, except in the direction of the bay, 
the soldiers retreated to the beach, where they made a stand and fought 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 411 

for their lives. Ei.^hteeii of the American party were woniulod under 
this attaclv, including Lieutenants Donovan and Connolly, and two were 
killed, their bodies beinj;^ left on the field. One of those killed was 
the native guide. The condition of the remnant, caught and sur- 
rounded by the natives, would have been desperate had it not been 
for the warships in the bay. The commanders of the monitor Monad- 
nock and the gunboat Helena sent 100 sailors ashore in three boats 
with a Colt's rapid-fire gun, and these, forming with the soldiers, 
strongly re-enforced them. Lieutenant Connolly, who had been 
wounded, was conveyed to a ship in the bay. 

The sailors, on landing and forming for action, directed an enfilad- 
ing fire on the strong line of earthworks guarding the passage of the 
Zapote river. General Lawton hurried forward a battalion of the Ninth 
infantrj^ to the assistance of the soliders and sailors in their fight. It 
took position along a little ridge on the beach. The Monadnock, 
Helena, Manila, Albaj* and Callao began shelling the beach, and these 
combined forces of army and navy soon drove the insurgents back into 
the jungle. 

Attack on the River Defenses. 

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon an advance of the left of General 
Lawton's forces was ordered. The Twelfth and Fourteenth infantry, 
with the mountain battery under Lieutenant Kenly, attacked the in- 
surgents who were entrenched be.yond the river. The enemy fought 
Avith courage and intelligence, holding their fire until the Americans 
had come within close range and then pouring forth terrific volleys. 
The Americans advanced, as usual, by short rushes, doing splendid 
work and never faltering in the face of the withering fire. They 
charged across the open country and over the bridge into the trenches 
of the enemy, which until then had been swept by the guns of the 
warships. The insurgents were driven out of the trenches almost at 
tlie muzzles of the Americans' guns. Kenlj-'s battery had advanced to 
the very river bank, losing men constantly. After the assault a cor 
respondent counted twenty dead insurgents in the trenches, and seven 
wounded Filipinos were captured here. 

The bridge was carried at .3:15 o'clock, after -several hours of close- 
range fighting. Many recruits, who had recently joined the ranks of the 



412 CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 

regulars, saw their first light iu this encouutor, aud sshowed their valor, 
jiever fliiuhiug eveu iu the hottest part of the engagemeul. 

The second fight begau at 5:20 o'clock uear Bacoor aud quickly 
developed to serious proportions. The Niuth infantry had moved from 
the beach along a system of dykes until it came to a road bordered 
by a thick juugle one mile from Bacoor aud on the right of our lines. 
The enemy suddenly opened a heavy cross fire from the woods to the 
left. Immediately two guns of the Sixth artillery were sent forward 
aud the Fourteenth and Twenty-first infantry advanced at double 
quick, coming to the rescue of the Ninth iu a long skirmish line, soon 
driving the insurgents further back into the woods. 

Work of the Regulars. 

By this desperate battle the iusurgents lost a district which they 
believed to be invulnerable against any attack of their euemies, it hav- 
ing been the scene of many former victories against the Sjianiards. 
Aguinaldo was born near by and the people hold him iu suocrstitioiis 
reverence. The American forces engaged were all regulars of the Niuth, 
Twelfth, Fourteenth and Twenty-first infantry, aud all of them showed 
magnificent valor. The sailors who were landed undoubtedly saved 
the detachment on the beach from destruction or capture, and the 
hearty co-operation shown by these and by the men at the guns of the 
warships has caused the s(ddiers here to feel the wannest gratitiule and 
affection for the meu of the navy. 

The olTicial report of the American losses was ten killed aud forty- 
one wouiuled. Of the 4,000 Filipino troops engaged, over one-thii-d 
were killed, wounded or captured, and those who escaped were demora- 
lized by the terrible defeat. Many of them threw their rifles into the 
river during their retreat, and sought hiding i)laces iu (lie mountains. 

Insurgents Driven Back. 

The Filipinos made an attack on the American outposts at San 
Fernando, thirty-five miles north of Manila, on the morning of June 
IG. Their presence near the Aniciicnu lines had been discovered by 
accident early the day before. 

The telegraph operator at San Fernando, having found that com- 



CONTINUATION OF THE \YAE. 413 

inunication with Manila was interrupted, started out alone soui_:ward 
to discover the cause. 

He soon encountered a strong force of insurgents, who fired upon 
him. Eeturning to San Fernando, the operator reported the presence 
of the enemy to General MacArthur, who immediately prepared for the 
threatened attack. 

At 5 o'clock in the morning the insurgents, who had formed a solid 
line around the city to the west, north and south, advanced, in skirmish 
formation, to the attack, intending apparently to capture the city by 
assault. The line reached from the railway bridge southward to Santa 
Tomas, and extended around to the west and north for several miles. 
It is estimated that there were 4,000 insurgents in the assaulting lines. 

The fight began with great spirit and continued for three hours. 
General Funston's brigade, consisting of the Twentieth Kansas volun- 
teers and the Montana regiment, and General Hale's brigade, the Iowa 
volunteers and the Seventeenth infantry, did the fighting. 

Two companies of the Kansas volunteers awaited the insurgents 
in a small ravine where they were well concealed from the enemy. 
They held their fire until the insurgents were very close, and then 
opened upon them with deadly volleys which did great execution in 
their ranks. 

This move made the insurgents more cautious. The Iowa and Sev- 
enteenth infantry came up on the double-quick and joined in the battle 
and inflicted severe punishment. 

The insurgents fought desperately, but finally were driven away 
beyond the trenches about the city which they had thrown up in the 
night. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon. General MacArthur, who com- 
manded the troops engaged in the defense, telegraphed to General Otis 
in Manila that fifty dead insurgents had been found and buried and 
that other dead bodies were still being discovered. The American loss 
was one killed and thirteen wounded. 

A Desperate Battle. 

Members of the First battalion of the Fourth infantry fought for 
their lives on June 19. The 300 Americans who formed Major Bubb's 
command found themselves almost surrounded by 1,000 Filipinos, when 
fully six miles from re-enforcements. In order to make the annihila- 



414 co^'TI^'UATIO^■ of the war. 

tion of the Ann^rieaus more certain, the insurgent commander sent 
1,000 more Filipiuos to make a flank movement on the left of Major 
Bubb's little band. 

The battle began at noon near Perezdasmarinas, about six miles 
south of Inius, wliieh was the American base. Major Bubb with the 
First battalion of the Fourth infantry, and Lieutenant Koeper witli (nie 
piece of artillery, had been sent from Imus to take possession of 
Perezdasmarinas. 

The American oflQjvrs had received reports that the enemy iiad 
deserted the village. The alcalde of the town came to Imus, foruuilly 
surrendered and urged that a force be sent to prevent the insurgents 
from looting the place. As Major Bubb's men advanced they uotieed 
that the houses along the road were filled with amigos (frieudlies), wlio 
pretended to welcome them. 

The battalion advanced confidently until within tliree-quarters of a 
mile of Perezdamarinas, when Major Bubb discovered that the enemy 
was paralleling the road for a long distance on botli sides of the bat- 
talion. The Americans were practically surrounded. ^Vilen the}' had 
reached a place in the roadway sunk beneath the rest of the country the 
insurgents opened fire. Tlieir volk-ys were augmented by the insur- 
gents hidden in the houses along the road, wlio poured a murderous fire 
into the rear of our troops. 

Major Bubb's men immediately went into action, and, while engag- 
ing the force to the right side of the road, another equally strong force 
appeared on their left. Tbej' received with cheers tlie news that they 
were being flanked, and a part of the battalion tunned upon the enemy 
in the new direction and met the attack with steady volhys. 

The fight began at noon. Tiie enemy's fire was sik'uced by tlie 
Americans in an hour. Major Bubb, in retiring, discovered that he had 
been surrounded, lie sent skirmish lines which crowded tlie Filipinos 
hack toward Imus. Tlie outllankers were under a fire from botli tlie 
right and tlie left. The rear guard was fighting desperately to hold the 
enemy's rushes in check. There was an incessant and galling fire down 
tin- main road. Men were falling everywhere. The ambulance was 
filled with the wounded. Carts were pressed into the .service, loaded 
with the wounded am] d*'ad and dragged by prisoners whom our troops 
had captured. 



CONTIXTATIOX OF THE WAK. 415 

General Wheaton to the Rescue. 

At 3 o'clock it looked as if nothing could save the battalion. Our 
men had been forced to leave two of our dead behind. At 4 they had 
pressed the enemy off to the right, and were at last behind them. Fif- 
teen minutes later Captain Hazard, an aid of General Wheatou's, 
pushed through alone with the news that Wheaton was coming to the 
relief. The men cheered wildly, and went for the Filipinos again. 

When General Wheaton arrived he foun^ the enemy, 1,000 strong, 
moving to intercept the road which runs at right angles to that leading 
to Inius. He opened with shrapnel and mowed down the insurgents 
until the left wing of our troops was cleared of the enemy. Then he 
advanced rapidly, and at 4 :30 o'clock had the enemy in full rout. 

The insurgents fought desperately. Finally, after an hour's con- 
stant firing, they began slowly to retreat. The Americans followed up 
their ad\ antage, giving the Filipinos fearful punishment. 

General Wheaton made the following statement : 

"I am glad to say that in today's reconnoissance the Fourth infantry, 
who held back 2,000 insurgents three hours, our troops acted gallautly 
find with the courage and coolness of veterans. Major Bubb, the com- 
manding officer, and every other officer in the field, should receive con- 
gratulations for heroism. The manner in which they handled a handful 
of men against an overwhelming force of the enemy was a movement 
which averted a contemplated attack on Imus by the entire Filipino 
army in Cavite province." 

With the progress of war in the Philippines it was evident that, to 
■enforce the authority of this country, a much larger force would be 
needed. Accordingly the president issued a call for 35,000 volunteers 
in the latter part of June. President McKinley consented to placing an 
increased army in the Philippines. It was estimated that General Otis 
had 20,000 soldiers. Orders were given to send him sufficient regulars 
to make the number 30,000. The President authorized him to enlist 
5,000 additional volunteers from troops whose term of service had ex- 
pired, thus bringing his force to 35,000. 

State Regiments Not to be Used. 

The administration decided to recruit the forces instead of accepting 
Tolunteers or making a call upon the various states. This caused 



4i(j C0NTI^'^ATl()^" of the wak. 

cimsidornble discussion. Hoveral states tendered volunteer regiincnls, 
some bein<; composed of men who had seen service in Cuba and wen- 
thoroiifilily drilled and disciplined, with good records on the liles of 
the dejiartment. Instead of accepting these men the war department 
proceeded to recruit according to the lines followed by the rcgalai- 
army. Kecruiting stations were opened, and in an incredibly slioit 
time the necessary recruits were secured, notwithstanding the fact tlint 
only able-bodied, single men wer(> accepted. 

The importance of an increased army in Ih;- Pliiliiiitiucs was full;. 
recognized. It was estimated that about twelve per cent of (Jenenil 
Otis' army was on the sick list, and while our soldiers experienced no 
great ditficulty in driving the Fili])inos from what Avere considered theii- 
strongh(dds, yet Genei-al 01 is did i\ot have enough troops to properly 
garrison the towns he had taken from time to time. This made it neces- 
sary to recapture important points again and again. 

Accordingly the administration prepared to place at the comman! 
of General Otis sufficient troops to garrison and hold all captured points. 
It was estimated that about 70,000 men would be needed. The last ol 
these troops were en route for the Philippines by the l.^th of November, 
making it possible for the American forces to resume active operations 
at the close of the rainy season. 

Rain Interposes Obstacles. 

Our troops were preveuled from i»ushing on into the interior of the 
island or making great progress by the protracted rainfall, a typical 
peculiarity of the climate of the IMiiIii)i)in('s. The i)eriod known in 
that part of the tropics as the ''rainy season" lasts from June to Novem- 
ber. During this term, when (he moist southwest mon.soou is prevailing, 
the rains are frequent and abundant. The liaveler accustomed to wil 
nesslng what are known in temperate zoue« as "heavy rains" can have 
no cuntP]itiou of the copious downpours which are seen in tropical and 
maritime countries. The average rainfall at :Mauila is fioni 7.') to 120 
inches annually, most of the rain falling within a half-year. 

Tlie effect of these recurring storms is serious, and as the rainfall is 
heaviest in August and Se])tember the conditions in and around Manila 
become sericuis. The rivei-s and small streams are swollen far beyond 
theii- normal size aud overflow their banks. At points (>f low elevation 
the ground is flooded and lakes form on land which in the dry sea.son is 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAK. 417 

under cultivation. This periodical formation of lakes, while it causes 
losses and imposes su£fering and disaster, has the effect of making the 
soil extremely fertile. 

One of the first duties incumbent upon the American oflticeis in the 
Philippines is, therefore, to dispose their forces at points where exposure 
to (he dauger from floods and storms will be least. Heavier rains are 
expected during this season, and there must be taken into consideration 
the extremely violent storms, or typhoons, which generally accompany 
the change of the trade winds and which sweep over Luzon with 
destructive force. 

During the latter part of July the war department issued an inter- 
esting statement of the receipts of the Philippine Islands during the first 
five months of 1899, which was as follows: Manila, $1,779,217; Iloilo, 
^168,912: Cebu, |99,597; total, .«2,017,556. The war department an- 
nounces that the total of customs receipts at the port of Cebu for April 
was §21,000, and for the mo.nth of May |56,115. 

On the 23d of July the government made the largest shipment; of coin 
to the Philippines so far as bulk is concerned since the outbreak of the 
wai", the transport Tartar caiTying this valuable cargo. It weighed 
about five tons, and was carried under a strong guard from the mint to 
the transport dock in two heavy drays and a wagon. The total sum was 
$1,300,000, besides nickels and pennies, .1100,000 being silvei", whose 
weight was over three tons. The raonej- was contained in fifty-three 
iron-bound chests. 

General MacArthur Issues New Orders. 

All natives not owning iiroperty were driven out of San Fernando 
August seventh by an order issiied by General MacArthur. Many 
Filipinos had been living in San Fernando for weeks. They called 
themselves aniigos and had established small stands in the town to 
trade in trinkets and fruits with the American soldiers. In accordance 
with the order the guards formed a line extending across the entire vil- 
lage. Then they began the march which swept the strange Filipinos 
nut of the town. It was accomiianied with a great deal of excitement. 
^\'omen and children were treated as the men. The natives were com- 
pelled to gather up such of their possessions as they could and flee 
before the soldiers. Nor did the work stop until every Filipino who 



41 S COXTINUATIOX OF THE WAR. 

came within tbo meauiiig »if the gem-ral's urdcr had been driven beyond 
the outiKists. 

On August Uth, (JenPial .MafArtliur made a very suefessful move- 
ment with the troops consisting of the 'Jth, llith, 17th and parts of the 
22d regiment and 51st Iowa. This movement was very difficult on 
account of mud and surface water. American casualties were five 
killed and twenty-nine wounded. Estimated insurgent loss, one hun- 
dred killed, three hundred wounded. 

During the engagement the troops suffered greatly from heat and 
rain. At times a blistering sun beat down upon the troops. Then, 
again, they would be niarcl;ing and fighting in a blinding rain storm. 
Suddenly the sun would come out again with its fearful heat. Recou- 
uoitering parties were sent out, but the enemj' was located with dif- 
ficulty. In most cases, having set fire to the towns and villages, they 
fled. The mud in places Avas knee deep in the rice fields and jungles, 
and through the ditches flowed small rivers several feet deep. This 
made it extremely hard for the American troops to make progress. 

The presence of the rainy season added to the discomforts, dangers 
and difficulties of the Americans. In a climate to which they were 
unaccustomed, exposed to intense heat and drenching I'ains, without 
adecjuate i)r{)tection or food, they pursued the war amidst obstacles 
such as jjad never before opposed an army. On September 20th Gen- 
eral Otis cabled that the rainfall during the two preceding days had 
been eight and one-fifth inches, and during the pi-eceding twenty-four 
hours, six and three-tenths inches. Amidst such conditions it is not 
strange that the progiess of the American army was slow. 

While an occasional skirmish occurred between the contending 
forces, it was not until the afternoon of September 2Sth that a real 
engagement took place. On that date General MacArthur entered 
Porac after half an hour's fighting. The American loss was five killed. 
The insurgent loss is not known, but ten dead were found. The enemy 
fled nortliward. "When the Amei-icans entered the town they found it 
practically deserted. The attacking party moved on Porac in two col- 
umns. The 9th infantry, with two guns, from Santa Kita, was com- 
manded by General Wheeler, and the 3Clh infantry, under Colonel Bell, 
with one gun, accompanied General JlacArthur from San Antonio. 

Both columns struck the town at o'clock and ojiened a brisk fire, 
which was replied to by the enemy for half an hour. Then the insur- 



CONTINUATION OF THE WAR. 419 

gents fled, and the Americans marched over their trenches and toolc 
possession of the place. 

Just before the figlit Smith's command, at Angeles, made a demon- 
stration by firing artillery up the railroad track. Liscuni reported one 
casualty and Bell reported four men of his regiment wounded. Ko one 
in the artillery was injured. 

The movement against Porac, about eight miles northwest of Ba- 
color, in Pamj^anga province, began at daybreak that morning, and was 
conducted personally by General MacArthur. General Wheeler, with 
the 9th regiment and a battery, advanced by two roads, while General 
Wheaton, commanding the 12th and 17th regiments, vsought to block 
the insurgents from retreating to the north. The 3Cth regiment accom- 
panied General MacArthur. Firing was begun near Angeles. 

The movement was a strategical success and resulted not only in the 
Ijossession of Porac, but in the clearing of several miles of country 
thereabout. The two columns — one from Santa Bita and the other 
from San Antonio — united before Porac, according to pi'ogramme, 
stretching around the place for some miles. The insurgents are esti- 
mated to have numbered 600 men. The captain and commissary of 
Mascarno's command were taken prisoners. 

Aguinaldo Again Attempts Diplomacy. 

Aguinaldo tried to shift his difficulties into the field of diplomacy. 
General Alejandrino, the Filipino envoy, who, when asked, "How long 
can the Filipino army and people withstand G0,000 American troops?" 
replied : 

"Fighting in our way we can maintain a state of war and the neces- 
sity for a large army of occupation indefinitely. You Americans are 
holding a few miles around Manila, a narrow line of railroad to Angeles 
and a circle of country around San Fernando. But you are ignorant 
of the resources of Luzon. We hold the immense, rich, productive north- 
ern country from which to draw. Our people contribute the money and 
food which maintain our army, and this is done at a minimum of cost. 

"It is an interesting question what the cost to the American people 
is of maintaining the American troops in the Philippines. We do not, 
of course, know the amount, bvit it must be excessive. We perceive 
what an Amei-ican soldier requires in this climate. On the other hand, 
a Filipino exists with a handful of rice and a pair of linen trousers. We 



420 AD.MliiAl- DKWKVS llO.MK COMING. 

do not biiv<' to pay our soldiers, and ran i)raitically bold up their waj^es 
as long at^ we desire. Even without our present supply of arms and 
aniiuuni1<on we eould keeji your army occupied for years. 

"With an e.\|)ense that grows daily, how long will your people stand 
it? The Filijiino people do not wish to continue the light ing. We have 
no army contractors. A\e have no business men making profits from 
the maintenance of our army. Tliere is nothing in it for us, nor are our 
salaries iarge enough to keep us fighting for money and position." 

The wily Aguinaldo hoped by the above answer to convince (leneral 
Otis of the hopelessness of the struggle and that be might arouse such 
vigorous o]>position to the war among the Americans at home as would 
force the witluhawal of the troops and the recognition of the independ- 
ence of his people. (Jeneral Otis viewed Agninaldo's action as an 
attempt at masquerading and treated it accordingly. 

Admiral Dewey's Home Coming. 

During the ])rogress of the war in the riiilipi)ines as related, the 
Avbole nation was preparing to greet the return home of Admiral Dewey 
with a welcome never before accorded any hero, naval or military. 
From the time the Olymjtia was sighted at I'ort Said until she was 
safely anchored at New York, the whole nation lead with intense in- 
terest every detail of bis bnuicward cruise as repoitcd lliiniigb the 
public p?"ess. 

In the latter part of .May .\dniiral Dewey sailed I'oi- JKime via llnng 
Kong and Suez ("anal. W'liiic in Hong Kong be remark<'d ibal after 
the stilling atmospbeic ot' the I'liiiippines, the cool breezes of the con- 
tinent were a luxur,y. lie, however, declined an invitation to a state 
dinner given in bis honor by Oov. Sir Henry lilake on the ground of ill 
beallb. AVhile atlmitting his right to decliiu' all invitations, yet the 
Hrilisb community would have been better pleased had he seen fit to 
dine with the (Queen's representatix c 

The Admiral was ever tho\igblfiil of iiis nii'ii, his jmrpose being to 
gradually accustom them In the looler climate they would enconnlei- on 
their arrival home. l"or this reason he niaile freciueiit and extended 
stops on his homeward journey. 

Tiefore leaving Hong Kong he said: "We shall take nnr time be- 
tween Hong Kong and <iibraltar, bin finm (iibi-altar we'll lay a 
straight course for home." When the olynipia sicaim-d oiil of llii> li.ir- 



\ 



\ 



ADMIRAL DEWEY'S HOME COMINC. 421 

bor June 6tli she passed the British cruiser Powerful; the baud of the 
Olympia phiyed tlu' British uatioual anthem and gave a bugle salute. 
There was no llriug. The Powerful replied with a similar salute aud her 
baud played '"Hail Columbia.'' 

As the Olympia passed the Italian admiral's ship the Olympia'a band 
played the Italian national anthem and gave an admiral's salute, which 
compliments were returned. 

Then the Olympia's band plaj'ed "Auld Lang Syne" and the band of 
the Powerful played "Home, Sweet Ilome." 

The next stop was Singapore, where the Admiral surprised the Brit- 
ish officials and Consul Pratt by arriving ahead of time. After a few 
days spent in recuperating, he sailed for Ceylon, from there to Port 
Said, where elaborate plans had been made to meet him by representa- 
tives of this government. 

At Suez the Olympia Avas quarantined, no direct communication 
"with the shore being allowed. As a result no one was permitted to 
board the Olympia at Port Said. But the Admiral thanked Jlr. Broad- 
bent for information cabled him June, 1808, when the fleet of the Span- 
ish admiral, Camara, arrived at Port Said. 

At Trieste the Admiral Became Reminiscent. 

The Admiral gave the author some interesting reminiscences of his 
visit there in 1867. It was just after the Austrian admiral, Tegetthoff, 
won his victory over the Italians under Persano near the island of Lissa, 
Dewey being at the time executive officer of the frigate Colorado. He 
said he had always regarded Farragut and Tegetthoff as the two great 
naval commanders of that day, and at Cavite, in 1898, he intended at 
one time to use one of Tegetthoff's methods of fighting by approaching 
the Spanish squadron bow on, instead of steaming past with broadsides 
bearing. 

The Admiral was reading Lieut. Calkins' account of the battle of 
JIanila Bay, which led him to discuss freely some events of that battle. 
He said the Spaniards would have done better to fight at Subig bay, 
where they could have had better protection from the shore batteries. 
They should have assembled all their guns at Subig. 

Admiral Montojo rejected Subig bay, however, because he did not 
wish to lose his crews as well as his ships, the water at Subig being 
very deep. Only one of the Spanish captains favored making a defense 



422 AKMIKAL DKWEYS HOME (JUJIIXCJ. 

at Subij;-, but if llio Spaniards bad sent all tbeir beavy guns to Isla 
Clrandc, in the moutli of Subig bay, Admiral IX'wey declared, and had 
maneuvered their ships behind that i)roteetion thev would have intllcted 
heavier loss upon the Americans. 

Leaving Trieste August 1st, the Olympla went to Naples, where a 
short stop was made. The next stop \Nas at Leghorn, where he found 
the weather so oppressive that he procee<led to Nice. There a marked 
improvement in the health of his men and otHcers became noticeabh'. 
The Admiral was greatly pleased by the compliment paid him by the 
French commander-in-chief in saluting his flag before the Olympia had 
saluted the port — a most unusual courtesy, and one which was accorded 
Admiral I'arragut only oiu-e, when he entered the harbor of Cronstadt 
in 18(57. Leaving A'illefranche he made his next stop at Gibraltar, 
where the conversation turned toward (he question of the speed that 
be could make on his way home. 

"If we had had the si)are propeller blades that are a part of (lie 
ship's outfit," he said to the author, ''I would have had her dry-docked 
and put in order, but the spare blades were left in the Mare Island navy- 
yard, and so we shall have to cross the Atlantic with one engine. We 
can make ten knots even Avheu dragging the starboard screw, and if we 
could uncoui)le it we could do better. Unfortunatc^ly it is not provided 
with a clutch coupling that would permit it to be disconnected." 

Upon being asked whether the speed was not somewhat checked by 
the necessity of counteracting the side movement of the one engine by 
the use of the helm, he said: 

"Oh, I suppose so. I'll just ask that signal boy and find out whether 
he has taken any notice of the lielm movion coming through the Mediter- 
ranean since the sirew was injured." 

The signal boy was on the watch on the bridge, and the Admiral liatl 
no means of knowing whether the youngster had been at the wheel, but 
his object was to learn how attentive the lail had been to the steering of 
the ship. 

"I think, sir," he replied Id xhc Admiral's (incsiidii, "that we carried 
a little starboard helm all the way down I lie Adriatic." 

"About how much?" a.sked the Admiral. 

"Five or six degrees, I should say, sir." 

"Go ask the chief quartermaster," said the .\diniral. 

Presentiv the voungster came back and said ilial the av(>rage star- 



ADMIRAL DEWEY'S HOME COMING. 423 

board helm carried while ruuuiiig with the port engiue onlj- was five de- 
grees. 

'•There! What do you thiuk of that?-' said the Admiral, trium- 
phantly. "That boy is a fair specimen of our apiirentices. They keep 
their eyes open and learn all about the ship and the methods of handling 
her without being forced to do so." 

There is nothing about which the Admiral is more proud than the 
character and capacity of the men under him. They all know it, and, 
consequently^ he can always depend upon them for almost any demand 
he can make upon them. When they go ashore on liberty they take the 
greatest pains to keep out of sight any man who "falls by the wayside" 
in the matter of drink. It is said that when the first liberty partj' was 
sent ashore in Hong Kong, one of the men who had not been able to 
resist the temptation of "looking upon the wine when it was red" too 
often was heard muttering to himself, as he steered an uncertain course 
toward the harbor front: "Honor — ship — honor ship. Must honor 
ship." The man had in mind what Capt. Lamberton had said to the men 
• — that he expected them to act with such propriety as to do honor to the' 
ship. And, as the poor chap realized that he was hardly in a condition 
to do the ship honor, he decided to get sober in the shortest possible time 
by dropping overboard and paddling about in the water till he had 
soaked out some of the superfluous liquor. 

Tiie same George Dewey that caught the Spaniards napping on that 
fateful day in Manila bay surprised New York on the morning of Sep- 
tember 27th. Two days before he w-as expected the only admiral of the 
navy called on Gotham before bi-eakfast, and that city, which had been 
straining every nerve to be ready for the naval fighter, was caught all 
unawares. The Olympia slipped into the Inwer bay past Sandy Hook 
•much as she sped noiselessly past Corregldor island, but instead of 
hostile guns and lurking torpedoes she and her gallant admiral faced 
only a pent-up welcome and a fitting reception. 

Though the admiral caught New York asleep, he could not steal by 
the forts as he did at Manila. As the Olympia bore down on the 
Hook the tremendous coast-defense guns of Fort Hancock boomed forth 
an admiral's salute of seventeen guns. W^hen the cruiser anchored she 
replied with the eight-inch guns which helped to make history May 1, 
1898. Every man, woman and child in New York knew what the boom- 
ing cannon meant and over the city sped the glad cry, "Dewey has come." 



1L*4 ADMIRAL DEWEVS HOME CO.Ml.NC. 

No sooner bad the booiiiinj; raiinoii auiiouined the arrival of the 
Ol3-mi)ia than the great wave of popuhir enthusiasm which had been 
jjatheriiij;- force for more than a year began to spend itself. The harbor 
of New York was alive Avith craft of every kind. Battleships and 
cruisers, merchantmen and launches, yachts and rowboats, all hastened 
to greet the hero of Manila. Nor did the demonstration lack in noise 
or numbers. The first gi-eeting was the spontaneous outburst of a 
grateful people and was marked by a warmth ami sincerity that Icuiched 
the admiral no less than the more formal greeting whii-h the great city 
had prepared. 

It was not until September 28th that Admiral Dewey fully realized 
the splendor of his welcome. Then he capitulated and the celebration 
of his cai)tnre broke loose. 

The city was in gala dress. Streets and avenues were one long vista 
of red, white and blue. IJuuting and flags were everywhere. They 
covered everything but Dewey's picture. Poor was the window iiuleiMl 
that had not one or more pictures of the great sea hero. There were 
hardly two alike, but they were all ''Dewey," and that was sntlicient. 
The great white arch stood like one great piece of marble spanning 5th 
avenue where it intersects Broadway. The decorations of the city along 
5th avenue were brilliant beyond description. Never before had tliere 
been so lavish a decoration. Decorative genius had achieved a trium{)h 
as notable in its line as the event it celebrated. As night came on the 
multitudes of the day seemed multiplied. Thousands of electric lights 
added sjdendor to the scene. Down the bay, the I.,ong Island and New 
Jersey coasts, the waterfront of (Jreater New York, along Governor's, 
Bedloe's and Ellis i.><lands there were miles of red fire. Searchlights 
swept the city from the towers of Brooklyn bridge, picked up the 
Olympia far down the bay, olT T(uupkinsville, and throughout the city 
there was a lavish glare of electric lights. Sky-scrajjcrs were lighted 
from top to bottom, domes and toAvers were aflame in red, white and 
blue lights, and 5th avenue, Broadway and other thoroughfares were 
ablaze with light. (Calcium lights brought out the new completed arch 
nf tiiumph, and red lire envcldjied the bronzed skirts of Liberty Enlight- 
ening the \Vorld. 

And every light was f<ir Dewey, lie iiad i-ctunicd. and I lie surging 
thousands oTiIy awaited llie coming of the moiinw iliat ihcy might 
render him the homage due. 



AT)MIKAI> DKWEY'S IIOMK COMINC. 426 

Mayor Van Wyck's Greeting. 

With the luoniinii' of llic -\)[\i the celebiiition he.nau. At 11 A. M. 
Mayor Van Wyck, accompanied by the reception oomniittee, went on 
board the Olympia. to formally welcome the admiral in the following 
words : 

"Admiral pewey: With pleasure, and by the direction of the city of 
New Yorli, I liieet you at her magnificent gateway to extend to you in 
her name and of lier million visitors, leading citizens of forty-five states, 
representing almost every hamlet in the nation, a most cordial welcome, 
congratulating you on being restored to family and home. A loving 
and most gi'ateful nation is gladdened by your safe return from the 
most remarkable voyage of history; so far-reaching in its results that 
the clearest mind cannot yet penetrate the distance. It has already 
softened the voices of other nations in speaking of ours, changed per- 
manently the map of the world, enlarged the field of American pride 
and completed the circle of the empire in its western course. 

"Your courage, skill and Avisdom, exhibited in a single naval en- 
gagement of a few hours, brought victory to your country's arms, and 
then you dealt with your country's new relations to the world with the 
judgment of a trained diplomat. By common consent you have been 
declared warrior and statesman — one who wears the military uniform 
until the enemy surrenders and then dons the habit of the diplomat. 

"The greatest reception awaits you that was ever tendered to mili- 
tary or civil hero, b^ucll an outpouring of the people was never dreamed 
of before. Never has the heart of America turned with such perfect 
accord and trusting confidence to one of her sons as it does to you. 
I place at your dis]tosal the freedom and unlimited hosjiitalities of the 
city of New York." 

Admiral Dewey listened with downcast eyes, bowing now and then. 
When the mayor was done he raised his head and said simply: 

"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen : Of course it would be needless for me 
to attempt to make a si)eech, but ray heart appreciates all that you have 
.said. How it is that you have overrated me so much I cannot under- 
stand. It is beyond anything I can conceive of why there should be 
such an uprising of the country. I simply did what any naval captain 
in the service would have done, I believe." 

His I'eply was like the man, brief and honest. His geniality, his 



42C AD-MIKAI. l)i:\\ KVS Ilo.Mi; CO.MIXC. 

unostentatious bearing and his Ik-miiv iiinmicr won h>v liiin Ircsii praise 
and greater admiration. 

The Naval Parade. 

In the afternoon followed the most imposing naval speetaile New 
Yorl< or America has known — the greatest demonstration ever given in 
honor of an American warrior. 

With hills, buihliugs, streets and i»arks black wlih cheering ad- 
mirers, with everj sea-going craft in tlie harbor weighted down under 
the maximum burden of humanity, Admiral Dewey, standing on the 
quarterdeck, the Olympia led the water pageant that for the lirst time 
compelled the admiral to realize his popularity. I'rom the Narrows to 
< Jrant's tomb, far up the far-famed Eludson, ftdlowed the great warships 
of the North Atlantic squadron, the flagship Chicago, the vicious, black, 
rakish tori)edo boats; the converted yachts, the revenue cutters, the 
transports and hospital ships, every type of merchant vessel, i>leasure 
yacht and ocean-going llyers. 

ilile after mile, as far a.s the eye could reach, came an almost connt- 
less number — a steady stream of vessels drawn as by a magnet to the 
01ymi)ia. Above the decks, dense with men and women, Ining an ever- 
changing, never-ceasing cloud of color, fluttering, ragged, umlulating. 
It was the flags. They floated everywhere. 

From the blue four-starred emblem which fluttered from Ihe mast- 
head of the Olympia to the signal flags that dressed the humble craft 
at the end of that great flotilla there were thousands upon thousands 
in all editions of old glory. Whipped out straight by the stiff Septem- 
ber breeze or flaunting in the calm, the national colors were omni- 
present. From every flagstalT on land or wave the colors floated. The 
riot of color was indescribabh". 

The <lay was almost i<leal. r>righl skies for the nupsl part dyed the 
waters of the bay and river bine, and the sharp September sun caught 
ail the brass and gold, the white and the steel on warshii) and yacht 
and dazzled the beholders. 

It was this kaleiiloscopic jiii-ture, with a background of faces that 
stretched away like billows up the New Jer.sey hills and the .Manhattan 
slopes, that Admiral Dewey saw: It was this picture, with .\dmiral 
Dewey the central flgiire, that the crowds saw. The admiral was as- 
tounded at the ccilossal dimensions of his welcome and the crowd 



1 



ADMIRAL DEWEYS HOME COMING. 427 

gloried in its vij^orous surprise. With ponderous grace the Olympia 
led the way to Grant's tomb, where the great admiral bared his head 
to the memory of the great general, turned the stake boat and thun- 
dered forth a salute of twenty-one guns. Then the flagshi]) dropped 
anchor and the hundreds of following craft passed in review. 

Before this there had been noise. But bedlam would have been a 
([uiet place when the boats got opposite the admiral. Sirens, whistles, 
bells, bauds, brass cannon and united cheers from sturdy lungs built up 
a din that could not be outdone. 

Darkness came, and with it illuminations, fireworks and a marine 
spectacle in light scarcely less beautiful than the day parade. 

But brilliant as was the naval parade, the land pageant of Sep- 
tember 30th even overtopped the colossal welcome given the admiral 
when he sailed up the harbor and anchored off Riverside. 

An admiral first in the hearts of his coimtrymen, two or three mil- 
lions of cheeriug citizens, a city decked in color from end to end, a long- 
parade of fighting men — brave characters in the army, the navy and 
the volunteers — to do the hero honor, a historic review at the splendid 
arch erected in honor of the guest of the city and the idol of the day — 
these were the distinguishing features of the second and closing chapter 
of this the greatest popular demonstration of the century to a living 
American. 

It was a. grand and inspiring climax. On this occasion the great 
admiral got near to the people. They were for the first time enabled 
to come close to the central figures in these ceremonies. They had ob- 
served the 01ymi)ia from the shore when it led the maritime parade, 
but they had not actually seen the admiral. Now they were permitted 
to observe him as he is, to look him in the eye, to almost touch his 
hand. They cheered him, and he heard them and he gave them his 
gracious response. 

By the counting machine used that cannot make a mistake, there 
were 30,902 men in line, and Major General Roe, who marshalled the 
parade, now divides honors with General Horace Porter as a successful 
manager of great land pageants. 

Array of Sea Fighterfa.. 

Behind Dewey in carriages came his fighting captains of May 1, 1S9S, 
and then his staff. After them came Admiral Sampson and his staff, 



428 A1).M1KAJ> DKWKVS IIOMK (X)MIN(;. 

the captains of the North Atlantic squadron. Then IJear Admiral Haw- 
ison and his stall', followed by Rear Admiral IMiili]) and his stalT, and 
then a <j;eueral collection of tjnests, anionii whom wim'c Major (Jeneral 
Miles and Kear Admiral Schley. 

Modesty of Greatness. 

At the cup presentation, at which Mayor \an WycU made a diiiiuli«'d 
and impressive speech, the admiral's modesty a^aiu came prominently 
to notice. He accepted the cup in a voice that shook with emotion, and 
turninj; to his Manila captains — Wildes, Coffhlan, Dyer, Lambertou, 
NN'alker and Wood — who were grouped about him, said with a wave 
of liis hand: 

"These are the nn-n that did it. \\'itliont them 1 could not have done 
what I did." 

The Meaiiing of Dewey's 'Welcome. 

Ruch a dem<instration as awaited Admiral (ieorjic Dewey cannot 
be ascribed merely to the natural popular impulse to cheer the hero 
returninji, from a victorious war. It is emi)hatically a tribute to Dewey 
tlie man, not simply because he won the victory at Cavite, nor because 
he displayed rare common sense and .-ibility in the subse(ineut nejjjotia- 
tions, nor because he discharjii'd all his difticult tasks in so direct and 
businesslike a fashion, but because by rea.son of his achievements he 
embodies in every way the best traditions of sea ijjeneralship. The 
reception in New \'ork was of tlu' kind that f^oes with a permanent 
fame. Dewey takes his place in history not merely as a mitional hero 
but as one of the fjreat fijinres in (he naval records of the world. 
Nearly a year and a half had elapsed since the battle in .Manila bay. 
The enthusiasm of victory had stibsided and there had been time for a 
healthy reaction from excess(>s of hero worshij). ^'et Dewey's fann' was, 
at that lime, not only surer but of a mort' brilliaiil luster than it had 
durinj; the excitements of wartime. 

TlKMiuestion astojusi where Dewey will stand in history amonji the 
world's other sea jjenci-als neei] not (I'ouble his admireis |(articularly. 
Nelson's wonderful victories have yet lo l)c surpassed and the enjxaj;"**- 
ment at Trafal};ar remains perhaps the most sii,rnal of all manifestations 
of naval genius in the exercis<' of sea power. Nelson assailing the oom- 
bini'<! fleets of Spaiti and I'r.imc ;il Traf;ilgar and wininng a complete 



ADMIRAL DKWEY!^ HOME rOMINC. 429 

victory; Tegctthoff defeating the superior fleet of the Italians at Lissa; 
b'arragut foniiig his way past New Orleans — all these are manifesta- 
tions of the same kind of naval genius which was displayed in Manila 
bay. But if the battle of Cavite in the long run seems likely to have 
as far-reaching an effect as did any of those earlier encounters, so does 
Dewey's method of accomplishing his achievement mark him as a sea 
commander of the best legendary model. When, after he had prepared 
and equipped himself for the task, he cast all timidity aside and sailed 
straight for the mined harbor of his enemy he showed the instinct of 
the great man who compels victory. 

It is largely because of this readiness and seaman's daring, this 
quickness of stroke in seizing the first chance to do the thing planned, 
that the world will continue to recognize Dewey as one of the eminent 
naval leaders. Properly, he hands dow'u the tradition as it was passed 
on by Nelson. As the people have come to know him better in the last 
few months it has been with an increasing confidence in his abilities. 
Perhaps the best and surest indication of his character as a man and of 
his personal strength as a leader is the general feeling of the people 
who know him best that had the difficulties before him been twice as 
great and the daugei*s twice as threatening Dewey yet would have faced 
them boldly and won by the superiority of genius. 

The New York reception to Dewey has passed into history, where 
no doubt it will stand unique among all similar demonstrations yet 
recorded. Considered merely as a spectacle, the demonstration was 
extraordinary. It is not to be wondered at that Dewey felt somewhat 
overwhelmed by the tumultuous welcome tendered him by the millions 
who lined the shores of the Hudson during the naval display and 
cheered his progress in the land parade. It has not been given to many 
men in history to look upon such a spectacle and know that it was 
prepared in their own honor. 

Most of this demonstration was prompted, first of all, by loyal 
admiration for the things that Dewey represents. He is not merely 
the victor of Cavite; he typifies the best that is in American manhood 
when it sets aside the peaceable obligations of citizenship and takes to 
fighting. I'art of the warmth of the demonstration, again, was due to 
an unconscious recognition of the admiral's modesty. Had he displayed 
previously any appetite for honors the millions in New York would 
never have been so deliriously willing to let their enthusiasm run to 
the limit in forcing honors upon him. The demonstration, if it seemed 



430 AH.MIKAI. HKWEVS HOME rOMING. 

to reach the poiut of excess, was founded in a perfectly sober apprecia- 
tion of its nieaniug. ( rood-bmuored affection and not hysteria is at the 
bottom of the excesses wliich have puzzled the serious Europeans. 

On to "Washington. 

After tlie welcome and greeting to the famous admiral in New York 
he departed for Washington, there to receive at the hands of the 
President the Sword of Uonor voted him by congress and to receive the 
official thanks of the country for his splendid work. 

His trip from the nation's metropolis to the nation's capital was 
one continuous ovation. The Dewey train passed through one dense 
wall of humanity. The admiral's flag waved from the top of the engine, 
and the cars Avere wrapped in bunting. 

The admiral was met at the District line by the reception committee 
and was formally presented with the freedom of the capital. The 
ceremony was performed by District Commissioner John B. Wight, in 
the preseuce of the admiral's fleet captains, the military and naval mem- 
bers of the i)arty, and as many of the reception committee as could be 
crowded into the car. The first formal address was made by John Addi- 
son Porter, secretary to the President, who said: 

"The President sends you his greetings and will be delightetl to see 
you in Washington." 

"And I shall be very glail to see the President," was the admirai s 
reply. 

Then Mr. Wight, holding in his hands a parchment, advanced, and 
said: 

"Admiral Dewey, you are now in the District «if Columbia, and repre- 
senting the Commissioners of the District, I have the honor of tendering 
you the freedom of the Xatiou's Capital, and in behalf of the people of 
the District, from the most exalted to the humblest citizen, I give you 
a sincere and cordial welcome home. We feel gratified that \Va.'<hiug- 
ton is to be your future home. It is the best place in the world in which 
to have a liome." 

"Indeed it is,'' interrupted Admiral Dewey, amid laughter. "If you 
don't think so, try it for awliile in Manila." 

"And it is fitting tliat yon," continued Mr. Wight, "who have done 
so much for the nation and are now such an impoilant part of the 
nation, should make your home at the Nation's Capital. The people of 



ADMIRAL DEWEY'S HOME COMING. 431 

Washington will esteem it not only a pleasure, but an honor to do all in 
their power to make your stay with us as pleasant as your services were 
successful at Manila." 

As Commissioner Wight concluded his speech, he placed in the 
Admiral's hands the parchment. It was tied with red, white and blue 
ribbons, and was artistically engrossed. It said: 

The freedom 

of the National Capital 

is hereby' tendered to 

ADMIRAL C^EORGE DEWEY, U. S. N., 

as the 

Guest of the people 

of the 

District of Columbia 

on the occasion of the ceremonies in honor of the achievements of the 

forces under his command in the harbor of 

MANILA, 

and as a mark of respect for his official and personal conduct under all 

the trying circumstances of that memorable period. 

JOHN B. WIGHT, 
JOHN W. ROSS, 
LANSING H. BEACH, 

Commissioners. 

The reception of the train as it reached the city was of the same 
enthusiastic nature as at New York. The people had gathered en masse, 
and an escort from the navy and the army escorted him through the 
city, which was brilliantly decorated for the occasion. 

The Sword of Honor Presented to Admiral Dewey. 

In many ways the ceremony on the steps of the capitol building at 
Washington marked the culmination of the honors bestowed on Admiral 
Dewey. 

The demonstration at New York was a magnificent showing of pop- 
ular feeling. It afforded unmistakable proof of the real hold which 
Admiral Dewey has on the affections of his countrymen. The presenta- 
tion of the sword voted by congress, however, had a significance of its 
own for an officer in the navy, where authorized forms and official dis- 



432 ADMIKAL DEWEY'S HOME (OMlNrx. 

tinctions count for so murb. The sword inrseutcil to the admiral in the 
impressive ceremonies in Wa.sliin<;ton came to him from the American 
people throuj^h their oflicial representatives in couRress. The American 
nation, throuj^h their authorized representatives, made the «rift. 

The reception tendered to Dewej- on his arrival at the national capi- 
tal was most fitting and appropriate throughout. After long and faith- 
ful service on his missiim in foreign waters, Dewey had returned to 
make his report to his government, and it is gratifying to know that 
the official welcome accorded him was all that he could have desired. 

The sword presented to the admiral, except its steel blade and the 
body metal of its scabbard, is entirely of 22-carat gold. On the pommel 
is carved the name of the battleship Olympia and the zodiacal sign for 
December, in which month Dewey was born. The sword blade is damas- 
cened with the inscription: "The Gift of the Nation to Admiral George 
Dewey, U. S. N., in Memory of the Victory at Manila Bay, May 1, 1898." 
The scabbard is of thin steel, damascened in gold. 

In presenting the sword Secretary Long said: 

•'The victory at Manila bay gave you rank with the most distin- 
guishi-d naval heroes of all times. Nor was your merit most in the bril- 
liant victory which you achieved in a battle fought with the utmost gal- 
lantry and skill, waged without error and crowned with overwhelming 
success. It Avas still more in the nerve with which you sailed from 
Hongkong to Manila harbor; in the spirit of your conception of attack; 
in your high commanding confidence as a leader who had weighed every 
risk and prepared for every emergency, and who also had that unfalter- 
ing determination to win, and that utter freedom from the thought or 
possibility of swerving from his purpose, which are the very assurance 
of a victory. 

"No captain ever faced a more crucial test. By your display of large 
powers of administration, by your poise and prudence, and by your 
great discretion, not only in act, but also in word, which is almost more 
important, you proved youi-self a great representative citizen of the 
United States, as well as now its great naval hero. 

''And yet many of your grateful countrymen feel that in the time 
to come it may be your still greater honor that you struck the first blow, 
under the Providence of God, in the enfranchisement of those beautiful 
islands which make the great empire of the sea; in relieving them from 
the bondage and oppression of centuries and in putting them on their 
\v:iy, under the protecting shield of your country's guidance, to take 



ADMIRAL DEWEY'S HOME COMING. 433 

their place in the civilization, the arts, the industries, the liberties and 
all the good things of the most enlightened and happy nations of the 
world, so that generations hence j-our name shall be to them a house- 
hold word, enshrined in their history and in their hearts. Clouds and 
darkness may linger about them now, but the shining outcome is as 
sure as the rising of the sun. "Whatever the passing tribulations and 
difficulties of the present moment, they will in due time soon and 
surely give way to the dawn of a glorious new day — a day not of any 
mere selfish imperial dominion of one people over another, but of the 
imperial moral and physical growth and expansion of all the peoples, 
whatever their race or language or color, who have come under the 
shelter of the broad shield of the United States of America. 

"By authorizing the presentation of this sword to you as the mark 
of its approval, your country has recognized therefore not only the great 
rich fruits which, even before returning from your victory, you have 
poured into her lap, but also her own responsibility to discharge the 
great trust which is thus put upon her and fulfill the destiny of her own 
growth and of the empire that is now her charge. It is a work in the 
speedy and beneficent consummation of which she is entitled to the 
c(U*dial help, sympathy and uplift of all her citizens, not the faint- 
hearted doubts and teasing cavils of any of them. It is a work on which 
she has entered in the interest of early peace in those new lands, their 
stable government, the establishment in them of law and order, the 
security of life and property and the American standards of prosperity 
and home." 

Upon the conclusion of his speech the secretary handed the sword 
to President McKinley, who spoke as follows: 

"Admiral Dewey: From your entrance in the harbor of New York, 
with your gallant crew and valiant ship, the demonstrations which 
everyw^here have greeted you reveal the public esteem of your heroic 
action, and the fullness of love in which you are held by your country. 
The voice of the nation is lifted in praise and gratitude for the distin- 
guished and memorable services you have rendered the country, and all 
the people give you affectionate welcome home, in which I join with all 
my heart. Your victory exalted American valor and extended American 
authority. There was no flaw in your victory; there will be no faltering 
in maintaining it. It gives me extreme pleasure and great honor in be- 
half of all the people to hand you this sword, the gift of the nation 
voted by the congress of the United States." 



134 ADMIRAL DEWEVS UOME COMING. 

TUe Presidout handed the admiral the sword with a deep bow and 
there was tumultuous applause as Dewey received it. The vast audience 
was hushed as he turned to reply. Admiral Dewey said: 

"I thank you, Mr. President, for this great honor you have conferred 
upon me. I thank the congress for what it has done. I thank the secre- 
tary of the navy for his gracious words. I thank my countrymen for this 
beautiful gift, which shall be an heirloom in my family forever, as an 
evidence that republics are not ungrateful, and I thank you, Mr. Chair- 
man and gentlemen of the committee, for the gracious, cordial and kind- 
ly welcome which you have given me to my home." 



... F^OEMIS... 



OF 



DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES 



. . . F^ O E ]VI S 



OF 



DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES 



OUR HERO. 



DEWKY! Dewey! Dewey! Dewey! Dewey! Dewey! 

Is I he hero of the day. He has met the Dous array, 

And (lie Maiue has been reiiiem- And the Maine has been remera 

bercd bend 

In the },'ood, old-fasliioned way^ In the K">'J. old-fa.shioned way— 

The way of Hull and Terry, A way of lire and taruage, 

Deeatnr and Ihe re.st — ' T>nt carnage let it be, 

Wlien old Europe felt the clutches When the forces of the tyrant 

Of the Eagle of the West; I'.lock Ihe palliway of the free! 

That's how Dewey smashed the So the Simnish ships are missing 

Spaniard I'roni .Manila's ci-dolicd bay. 

In Manila's crooked bay, And Ihe .Maine has liccn n mem 

And the Maine has been remem- bered 

bered In the good, old-fasliioiicd way. 
In the good, old-fashioned v. ay. 

Dewey I ])i'wc.\I Dcwi'y! 

Dewey! Dewey! Dewey! Crown wilh victor wreailis of 

.V \'ermonter wins the (hiyl ^'ay; 

.\nd the .Maine has been rcnu'm- For the .Maine has been remeni- 

bered bered 

In the good, ohl I'ashioiud way. In Hie good, (dd fashioned way, 

IJy line who caied not whether .\nd Hags that wave triumphant 

The wind was higli or low In far o!l' Iropic sens. 

.\s he stiijiped his.sliips fen' battle ^^■itll tlieii- code of symboleil color 

.\inl sailed forth to lin<l the foe. IMing this message to the breeze: 

.And he found the haughly Sjianiard 'We have routed all the Sjianiiirds 

In Manila's crooked bay. From .Manila's crooked bay, 

.\nd Ihe Miiine has been rciiieni- .\nd the .Maine has bnii remem- 

bircd liered 

In the good, oM fasliioned way. In tlie good, (dil i.isliioned way." 



P0EM8 OF DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 



M 



HOL' DEM 

ISTAH DEWEY, yo's all right, 



Hoi' dem Philuppiues! 
Made yo' poiut an' won yo' tight, 

Uol" dem Philuppiues! 
If dem natives get too gay 
Make dem walk the Spanish way; 
Show dem (hit yo"s come to say, 

Uol' dem Thiluppines! 

Doctah Dewey, doan' yo' care, 

Hoi' dera Philuppiues! 
Let dat German ge'man swear, 

Hoi' dem Philuppiues! 
Reckon dat yo' saw dem first. 
Just to' say to Wienerwurst: 
"Come en take dem, if yo' durst!" 
Hoi' dem Philuppiues! 



PHILUPPINES. 

Fesser Dewey, you is wa'am, 
Hoi' dem Philuppiues! 
Keckon yo' can ride de storm. 
Hoi' dem Philuppiues! 
Tell him dat yo' will not grieve 
If old Diederichs should leave — 
Keep dat razar uj) your sleeve. 
Hoi' dem I'hiluppines! 

A'm'al Dewey, watch yo' kyards, 
Hoi' dem Philuppines! 

Folks all sen' yo' best regyards, 
Hoi' dem Philuppiues! 

Make dem fo'iners lay low, 

If dey 'sist to pester so. 

Make dem take dah clothes and go, 
Hoi' dem Philuppines! 

— George V. Hobart. 



THE BATTLE OF 

AT break of dawn Manila Bay 
A sheet of limpid water lay. 
Extending twenty miles away. 

Twenty miles from shore to shore. 
As creeping on a squadron bore 
As squadron never moved before. 

Majestic in its hidden might, 
It passed Corregidor at night. 
Inspired to battle for the right. 

And grandly on the Flagship led, 
Six ships — Olympia e'er ahead — 
With battle flags at each masthead. 

The Baltimore and Raleigh true. 
The Petrel, Boston, Concord, too. 
Their flags of glory proudly flew. 

As early daylight broke upon 
The bay — before the rise of sun — 
Was seen the flash of opening gun! 

Then every second heard the roar 
Of shell and shrapnel bursting o'er 
Our brave, undaunted Commodore! 

"Hold our fire!" he calmly vsaid, 
As from the bridge he bravely led 
To death or glory on ahead! 



MANILA BAY. 

And from his lips or from his hand 
But one direction, one command, 
"Follow the flagship by the land." 

Full twenty minutes slowly crept 
Ere lightning from our turrets 

leapt. 
And pent-up hell no longer slept! 

The Spanish fleet, a dozen strong, 
Was now in range, and haughty 

wrong 
Was swept by awful fire along. 

Explosions wild destruction brought 
'Mid flames that mighty havoc 

wrought. 
As either side in fury fought. 

So back and forth in angry might, 
The Stars and Stripes waved on the 

fight, 
'Mid bursting shells in deadly flight! 

The Spanish decks with dead were 

strewn, 
Tlieir guns on shore were silenced 

soon, 
Their flags were down ere flush of 

noon. 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILirPINES. 

Their ships, their batteries ou the The battle of .Manihi Bay 

gljoj.p From mind shall never pass away— 

Were {<one to lisht again no more— Nor deeds of jilory wrought that 

Their loss, a thousand men or more! day; 

Dawned on the fleet that Dewev led For "mid that battle's awful roar 

V miraele. while Spaniards bled; The Spanish pride, to rise no more, 

For on our side was not one dead! NN'as humbled by our Commodore. 

— Corwin V. Koss. 



T 



DEWEY'S COMING. 

HEY say that Dewey's comin'; They say that Dewey's oomin'; he's 

that's' the word from lips to the feller that we like! 

lipj^i He knew when all the tempest told 
I'm talkin"lM)ut the feller that sunk the lightnin' where to strike! 

all the Spanish ships lb' knew the very moment when the 
In the far Manila harbor! An', good thunder beat its drums. 

folks, when Dewev (•(uues. And we'll blow the sweetest bugles 
There'll be blowin' of "the bugles, when Mister Dewey comes! 

there'll be beatin' of the 

drums! 



G 



THE HERO OF MANILA. 

DD of our country. Thee we sing: And ht- who rode the Eastern main, 
We thank Thee' for the mighty Nor paused the Why or How to 

(lav ask, 

Which saw the fall of Cavite: Dewey, our son. knew duty's 

Our Inimble gratitude we bring. task 

Thy lavish hand we praised and And lodsrd ilic awful llaming rain. 

]j„,,^y_ 'I'hi'U burst I lie pioud foe's swollen 
So laid <Mir (rust in Ibav'ii ; piidc; 

Hut this, Tliy latest iMiuuly His vampiislicd ticrt bcncalh 

giv'ii. ' Ihe wave. 

Hath made <>iir trustful hearts more His fort a silent gai>iug grave — 

I{emorse was born: l\esistau<-e died. 



true 



Up with liie dawn one lads arose In sleeping Asia's spreading sea. 

And breathed two thousand On that great morn of .May's 

pray'rs to Thee. lirst day. 

For Dewey. Home, and Victory, Boomed the loud note at <'avite 

.\ man eould light a Imiidred foes. That hailed an infant Liberty. 

Over the hidden hell beneath Ood of our country, Cod of the 

The s(piadron came and filled world, 

the l)av. Our jiray'r that we may work 

Tliat the devil might have his thy jilaii 

lawful itav And do Tliy will toward .\sian 

And tile land) be saved from the nian — 

jackal's teeth The cause Thv cause, our Hag un- 
furled. ■ 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILirPINES. 



WHO WILL CARE FOR MOTHER NOW? 

During one of our late battles, among many other noble fellows that fell, was a young 
man who had been the only support of an aged and sick mother for years. Hearing the 
surgeon tell those who were near him that he could not live, he placed his hand across 
his forehead, and, with a trembling voice, said, while burning tears ran down his fevered 
cheeks: "Who will care for mother now?" 



WHY am I so weak and weary? 
See how faint my heated 
breath, 
All around to me seems darkness- 
Tell me, comrades, is this death? 
Ah! how well I know your answer, 

To my fate I meekly bow. 
If you'll only tell me truly, 

Who will care for mother now? 

CHORUS. 

Soon with angels I'll be marching. 
With bright laurels on my brow, 

I have for my country fallen. 
Who will care for mother now? 

Who will comfort her in sorrow? 



Who will dry the fallen lear, 
Gentlv smooth the wrinkled fore- 
head? 

Who will whisper woids of cheer? 
Even now I think 1 see her 

Kneeling, praying for me! how 
Can I leave her in her anguish? 

Who will care for mother now? 

Let this knapsack be my pillow. 

And iny mantle be the sky; 
Hasten, comrades, to the battle, 

I will like a soldier die. 
Soon with angels I'll be marching. 

With bright laurels on my brow^' 
I have for my country fallen. 

Who will care for mother now? 



WHEN DEWEY COMES BACK. 



THEY say that Dewey's coming 
back ' 
To take a short vacation. 
And when he does there'll surely be 

A lot of jubilation. 
For everybody in the land. 

From youngest to the oldest. 
Will rush to see the hero who 
Is reckoned as the boldest. 

They want to see the man who led 

His fleet where dangers bristled. 
And who was coolest when he stood 

Where Spanish missiles whistled; 
The man who bravely sailed where 
Dons 

Had big torpedoes scattered, 
WHio banged away until their ships 

To pieces he had battered. 

Yes, he's the man they want to see. 

And far they'll go to meet him; 
They'll strain their eyes as he draws 
near. 



And joyfully they'll greet him. 
The women, too, will all turn out. 

The matrons and the nusses. 
And all the pretty girls will try 

To favor him with kisses. 

Upon him then will be conferred 

The freedom of the cities. 
And every band in every town 

Will play its choicest ditties. 
Each orator will hail him with 

Most ehxiuent exjircssions. 
And all the citizens will join 

In forming big processions. 

Long pent up joy will then break 
loose. 

And like a flood go sweeping. 
And on JIanila's hero then 

All honors we'll be heaping. 
Yes, when brave Dewey comes back 
home 

There'll be a grand ovation. 
For he's the darling and the pride 

Of all this mighty nation. 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 

THE BAND PLAYED ON. 

(As the Californians, under Colonel Smith, came up the beach, their band played the 
national air. accompanied by the whistling of Mauser bullets, and during the sharpshoot- 
ing continued to encourage the men with Inspiring music. — Dispatch from Manila. j 



FORWARD!" the Colonel shaiplv 
said. 
With eager eye and steady tread 
They crossed the strip of shininf? 

sand 
In rlirthui \yith their iiulsiiijjj band. 

Up from the bay the great guns 

roared, 
High o'er their heads the swift 

shells soared. 
Hut true and steady rose the drum 
^Vboye the battle's gro\yiug hum, 
And wild and strident shrilled the 

horn, 
As if it shrieked in loyal scorn. 

The bullets whistled o'er the strand; 
A crimson stain was on the sand. 
"Fire!" shrieked the Colonel, and a 
roar 



Went booming down Jlanila's shore. 
-Vud while its echoes died away, 
The fearless band in steady play, 
As on parade, so calm, so free, 
Poured forth the song of freedom's 
key. 

It roused those dauntk»ss Yankee 

hearts; 
They felt the thrill the song imjiarts, 
In rhythm with the horn and drum, 
Each lip the dear old words did hum. 
They fought like braye men, good 

and true. 
They pressed ahead where bullets 

flew. 
And till they'd conquered eyery doa 
The band played on. 

— Cleveland Plain Dealer. 



THE JOLLY OLD FLAG. 



THAR'R somothin' in the ripple of 
the flag that 'pears to me 
Means that Old Glory's confident, — 

she's wavin' "V'ictory!" 
The winds aroun' her sing it an' 

wing it overhead — 
Thar's a kinder jubilation in her 
rumpled stripes o' red! 

Thar's somethin' in the ripple of the 
flag that 'jK-ars to me 

Says: "You jest keej) the country 
and Dewey'll hold the sea!" 



Tlie 



to 



winds aroun' her sing it 
countryside an' town — 
Thar's a kind of jubilation in the 
red stripes rijiplin' down! 

Somethin' in it, people! I never seen 
her so 

I'eartlike an' tickled, when the wind 
makes nj) its mind to blow! 
"Hurrah!'' She answers from 
the llagstatT on the shed 
a reg'lar jubilation in her 
rumpled stripes o' red! 

— Frank L. Stanton. 



I yell 
With 



THE SONG OF DEWEY'S GUNS. 



w 



HAT is this thunder music 
from the other side of the world. 
That pulses tliroiigli I lie severing 
seas and round tlie planet runs? 



'Tis the death song of old Spain 

floating from the .\sian main; 

Tliei'e's a tale of crumbling empire 

in the song of Dewey's guns! 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 



The hand that held the sceptre once 
of all the great world seas, 
And paved the march with dead 
men's bones 'neath all the 
circling suns, 

Grew faint with deadly fear when 
that thunder song grew near, 
For the dirge of Spain was sound- 
ed by the song of Dewey's 
guns! 



There is music in a cannon, yet, for 
all Sons of Peace — 
Yes, the porthole's belching an- 
them is soft music to her sons 
When the iron thunder song sings 
the death of ancient wrong — 
And a dying wrong was chanted 
by the song of Dewey's guns. 
— Sam Walter Foss. 



THE FLAG. 



Inscribed to Admiral Dewey. Tune: "Lauriger," 

Darling flag of Liberty! 

Law and love revealing, 
All the downcast turn to thee 

For thy help appealing. 
In the front for human right, 

Flash thy stars of morning, 
All that hates and hides the light, 

Flies before thy warning. 



ROLL a river wide and strong. 
Like the tides a-swinging, 
Lift the joyful floods of song. 
Set the mountains ringing. 
Run the lovely banner high, — 

Crimson morning-glory! — 
Field as blue as yonder sky, 
Every star a story. 



Let the people, heart and lip. 

Hail the gleaming splendor! 
Let the guns from shore and ship 

Acclamation render! 
All ye oceans, clap your hands! 

Echo plains and highlands, 
Speed the voice thro' all the lands 

To the Orient islands. 



By the colors of the day, 

By the breasts that wear them, 
To the living God we pray 

For the brave that bear them! 
Run the rippling banner high; 

Peace or war the weather, 
Cheers or tears, we'll live or die 

Under it together. 

— M. W. Stryker. 



IN MANILA BAY. 



ON the broad Manila Bay 
The Spanish cruisers lay. 
In the shelter of their forts upon 
the shore; 
And they dared their foes to sail 
Thio' the crashing iron hail 

Which the guns from decks and 
battlements would pour. 

All the harbor ways were mined. 
And along the channel blind 

Slept the wild torpedoes, dream- 
ing dreams of wrath. 



Yea! the fiery hates of hell 
Lay beneath the ocean's swell. 
Like a thousand demons ambush- 
ed in the path. 

Breasting fierce Pacific gales, 
Lo! a little squadron sails. 

And the Stars and Stripes are 
floating from its spars. 
It is friendless and alone. 
Aids and allies it has none, 

But a dauntless chorus sing its 
dauntless tars: 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 



"We're ten thoiisand inik'S from 

home; 
Otean's wastes aud wave and foam 
Shut us from the land we lore so 
far away. 
We have ne'er a friendly port 
For retreat as hist resort, 

But wo'll beard the ships of Spain 
in their own bav. 



There, half-way round the world. 
Swift and straight the shots were 
hurled. 
And a handful of bold sailors won 
the day. 
Never since earth was begun 
rias a braver deed been done 
Than when Dewey sailed into Ma- 
nila Bav 



"They hav(; mines beneath the sea. 
They have forts upon their lee, 
Tiiey have everythint; to aid them 
in the fray; 
But we'll brave their hidden mines. 
And we'll face their blazing? lines; 
Yes! We'll beard the shijjs of 
S]iaiu in their own bay. 



(lod made for liim a path 
Thru' tlie mail torpedoes' wrath. 
From their slumbers never wak- 
ened into phiy. 
\Vhen dawn smote the east with 

sold, 
Sjianiards started to behold 

Dewey and his gallant lieet within 
their bav. 



"If we're worsted in the tight, 
We shall i)erish in the right — 
No hand will wijie tlie dews of 
deatli away. 
The woundi (1 none will lend. 
For we'\(' not a single fi-iend; 
But we'll beard I he sliips of Spain 
in their own l)av. 



Then from forts and warships tirst 
Iron maledictions burst. 

And the guns with tongues of 
flame bi'gan to ])rey; 
1-ike demons out of hell 
'I'he batteries roar and yell. 

NN'hile Dewey answers baek across 
the bav. 



"No ironclads we sail. 
Only cruisers light and frail. 

\\'Uh no armor plates to turn the 
shells away. 
.\11 the battleships now stec'f 
In another hemisiihere. 

But we'll beard tlw ships uf Sjiain 
in t hell' own bav. 



O Gods: it was a sight. 
Till the smoke, as black as night. 
Hid the lire-belching shi])s from 
light of day. 
When it lifted from the tide. 
Smitten low was Spanish pride, 
.\nd Dewey was the master of 
their bav. 



"Ho! Kemembi-r now the Maine! 
Up! .\iul smite the slii]is of Spain! 
Let them nut forget for years this 
first of .May! 
Though liell blaze up from beneath. 
Forward tiirongh the cannon's 
breath, 
Wlu-n Dewev leads into Manila 
Bav." 



Where the awful conflict roared, 
.\nd red blood in torrents poured. 
There the Stars and Strijies are 
wa\ing high to day. 
Dewey! Hero strong and grand! 
Sliout his name thro' every land! 
For he sunk the ships of Spain in 
theii- own bay. 

—Charles Wadsworth, Jr. 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILirPINES. 



THE FARMER'S BOYS. 



10WN I'm rather lonely, for my 
lielj) has fi'oiie away. 
The harvest time is over, ami iiit is 

all the hay; 
And I lony,- to yet the papers, Imt I 

fear to see them eome, 

For Tom ami Jack are ftghtiii);- to 

the music of the drum. 

The boys are patriotic, like theii- 

father loug ago, 
When he heard the call of Lincoln 

and went for to meet the foe; 
And when they came to me and said 

that they were young and 

strong, 
I told my wife I knew the farm 

would never hold them long. 

There's Jack; he has his mother's 

eves, his face is round and 

fair, 
He has his mother's gentle w'ays, her 

soft and silky hair; 
And Tom; they say he looks like 

me, raw-boned, and tanned 

and stout. 
The kind of boys, the captain says, 

to storiii the strong redoubt. 

I saw the thing a-brewing, but I 

had no word to say, 
The boys grew restless, for they read 

the papers every day; 
And when the call for men was 

made they hurried down the 

lane. 
And in the village joined the boys 

who'll ne'er "forget the 

'Maine.' " 

My wife and I together sit when all 

the work is done, 
.\nd watch the hills in silence as 

they redden 'neath the sun ; 
She knows that I am thinking of the 

boys we've sent afar. 
And she is praying silently for peace 

to end the war. 



They'll never shirk their duty; Tom 

and Jack are true as steel; 
r.efore their might, I'm proud to say, 

the Si)anish foe will reel; 
What tales will Jack bring back 

with liim fi'om regions far 

away, 
And Tom will tell of lighting down 

by Santiago l!ay! 

Old Clory will not blush for them, 

they'll ni>l)ly weai' the blue; 
They won't disgrace the liuckeye 

farm; to country l)oth are 

true. 
I told them when they started, as I 

held their hands in mine. 
That I was once a soldier in the 

grand old Union line. 

When I lead the horses homeward 

through the bracing twilight 

air, 
I see two boys in uniform, heroic, 

tall and fain. 
And one looks like his mother when 

I wooed her long ago, 
And'the other like his father, with 

his curious ways, you know. 

It seems they're with me all the 

time, but yet they are afar; 
Upon their bayonets doth fall the 

light of tropic star. 
They know the old farm misses 

them, no matter where they 

roam. 
And every night I know they think 

of mother's face and home. 

We pray together, wife and I, we 

kneel before the throne. 
And ask the Father's care for those 

so dear to us alone; 
May we hear from lips we long to 

kiss, though now they're far 

away. 
The story of Manila and of Admiral 

Dewey. 
— T. C. Harbaugh, in Ohio Farmer. 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE rillLIl'l'INES. 



DEWEY. 



WHY do we put Dewoy 
Alu.v.' all I lit- ivst? 
Of all I lit- \vai-"s heroes 

Whv is he the best? 
We hear Dewey's name, 
And our breasts are atlaine, 

With love lor the };rizzle<l old 
tar- 
Why is Dewey enshrined 
In the lieart and the mind, 
As Liueoln and Washinfj;t()U are — 
\\hy do we put Dewey 

Above all the rest? 

Of all the war's heroes 

Why is he the best? 

^\'hen the tocsin was sounded 

And the war sj;od awoke, 
When the bonds that had held us 

As men of jjcace broke, 
When others rushed hither 

And thither, at sea, 
When other nun argued 

In war eouncils, he, 
With a ealniness supernal, 

And a course that was plain, 
Weighed anchor and started 

Across the blue nuiiii ; 
He stayed not for jiarley. 

Nor waited nor planned 
For conditions to favor 

The j)r()ject in hand — 
.\s the arrow Hies unto its mark he 

set out, 
rnhindered by fear and a stranger 
to diMib'i. 

Ts Ihei'c fear in the lion 

Thai has scented his prey? 
Does he linger for dangi'is 

<"(>ncealed by the way? 
Does he hunt foi' clear jpalhways 

To lead him ai'onnd 
The rocks that bi-fore liim 

Incumber the gi-ouiid? 
Does he crouch in s<une cornel- 

And warily wait, 
fntrusling liis chances 



To favors of fate? 
Nay, the lion has none of the cun- 
ning that l.'rings 
The fawn ueath the limb wlu-re the 
sleek tiger swings. 

E'en as a li<ui the grim hero went 

To the spot where Spain's weapons 
lie blackened and bi-nt; 

lie stayed not for danger, nor favor- 
ing tide; 

Nor thought of the snares jierhaps 
hidden inside — 

He entered and struck down the foe 
in his lair, 

And set up the standard of liberty 
there! 

And when it was done — when the 
world stood in awe. 

Still gras])ing the sword, he pro- 
pounded the law; 

He invited no cheers, nor indulged 
in high boasts. 

Rut silently sat as a new lord of 
hosts 

^\"i(ll a simpleness such as (!od 
gives but to those 

Too big to be swayed by the world's 
I)etty woes. 

He marked out his lines, and men 
saw where they lay. 

Nor sought to cross over, nor ques- 
tioned his sway. 

Each word tliat he spoke was the 
word that we meet ; 

I'^ach act li(> essayed when he stayed 
was com])lete — 

The mazes that lay all arminil him 
he trod 

.\s onlv lie mav wlio is led bv his 

('lod. 

And so we put Dewey 

.\bovo all the rest 
Of ;ill the wai'"s heroes. 

Proclaiming him best; 
.We hear Dewev's name 



POEMS OP DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 



And our breasts are aflame 

With love for the {grizzled old 
tar; 
We have got him enshrined 
In each heart and eacli mind 
As Lincoln and Washington 
are — 



Straightforward and simple above 

all the rest, 
With a grandeur that touches the 

lowliest breast. 

— S. E. Kiser, in Cleveland Leader. 



AT THE FRONT. 



NOT the soldiers only are at the 
front to-day, 
Not alone the boys in blue who 
face the stubborn foe, 
In the tent and in the charge, and 
on the weary way. 
There are unseen sentinels who 
watch with eyes aglow. 

Mothers who have sent their sons to 
battle for the right, 
Wives and sweethearts, all day 
long, whose throbbing hearts 
are there, 
A host of loyal loving ones who help 
the gallant fight, 
By beating at the throne of God, 
with never-ceasing prayer. 

These may not thread the jungle, 
nor storm the frowning hill. 



They stand not in the rifle-pit, 

they man no sullen gun; 
But they are with the army, and 

with strength their pulses 

thrill, 
And theirs will be the victor's 

part, when once the strife is 

done. 

Standing for the old flag, standing 

firm for God, 
Standing for humanity, they meet 

the battle's brunt. 
These women, who for heartache, 

scarce can see the path 

they've trod. 
Since they kiss'd the lads they 

love so dear, and sent them to 

the front. 

— Margaret E. Sangster. 



A TOAST TO COMMODORE DEWEY. 

At a dinner given to Commodore George Dewey at the Metropolitan Club, Wash- 
ington, November 27, 1S97, just before he started tor the Asiatic Station, the following 
prophetic toast was offered, and received with enthusiasm: 



FILL all vour glasses full to- 
night'; 
The wind is oil the shore; • 
And be it feast or be it fight, 
^^'e pledge the Commodore. 

Through days of storm, through 
days of calm, 
•On broad Pacific seas, 
At anchor off the Isles of Palm, 
Or with the Japanese; 

.\shoi'e, afloat, on deck, below. 
Or where our bull dogs roar, 



To back a friend or breast a foe 
We pledge the Commodore. 

We know our honor'U be unstained, 
Where'er his pennant flies; 

Our rights respected and main- 
tained. 
Whatever power defies. 

And when he takes the homeward 
tack. 
Beneath an admiral's flag. 
We'll hail the day that brings him 
back, 
And have another jag. 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 



THE ADMIRAL AND THE SPANISH MULE. 



FROM Matanzas fort tame a sad 
report, 
"The Yankees a mule have slaiu!"" 
Hut iu this they erred, his death was 
deferred. 
The mule, killed later, was Spaiu. 
Ten eeiituries louj;- had this mule 
gone wroug 
For want of a good, big stick. 
At Manila John lambasted the Don. 
Tlieie the mule kicked his last 
kick! 



Thus it came to pass when this 
Spanish ass 
Cried aloud in boastful pride, 
"I don't give a damn for your Uncle 
Sam !" 
And that's where the old mule 
died. 
No man, it is said, saw a donkey 
dead; 
To mules this does not apply. 
Full of shot and shell one mule went 
to hell, 
And the whole world saw him die! 



Three cheers for "our John !" 

The man who slew the Don. 
That Spanish mule we ne'er again 
shall see. 

The antiquated roue 

Was "done to death" by Dewey; 
Oh! an admirable admiral is he! 



Three cheers for "our John !'" 
The man who slew the Don. 
That Spanish mule we ne'er again 
shall see. 
The antiquated roue 
Was "done to death'' by Dewey; 
C)h! an admirable admiral is he! 
— Stanislaus Stange. 



THE AMERICAN SONO 

shall America sing 



WHAT son 
Young heir of the elder world. 
Whose knee ne'er bent to tyrant 
king. 
Whose lianner defeat ne'er furled? 
A song for the brave and the free, 

No echo of anti(]ue rhyme. 
But a shout of hope for the dav 
to be, 
The light of the coming time. 

From the dark lowlands of the past, 
Swelling loud o'er the victim's 
cries, 
The hei'o's shont sweeps np the blast 

Where wounded freedom dies. 
The drum's dull beat and the trnm- 
]jet's blare 
From the far-olT years are heai'd; 
Bnt the juean of kings is man's de- 
spair. 



And the hope of the world de- 
ferred. 

'Tis the song of the free we sing; 

Of the good time not yet born. 
Where each man of himself is king. 

Of a day whose gladsome morn 
Shall see the eai'th beneath our feet, 

And a fair sky overhead; 
When those now sad shall find life 
sweet. 

And none shall hunger for bread. 

Sing then our American song! 

'Tis no boast of triumphs won 
At the lU'ice of another's wrong, 

Or of foul deeds foully done. 
We light for the wide world's right 

To enlarge life's scope and ])lan. 
To flood the earth with hoj)e of light 

To build the kingdom of man. 
M. F. Savage. 




ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY 



This likeness of Admiral Dewey is pronounced by all his associates as the 
best which has yet appeared. Joseph L. Stickney, his personal aide, at Manila, 
says that it is the only portrait he has seen which really deserves the name. The 
poise of the head, the keen, searching eye, the position of the body, are true tc 
life, and bring back the Admiral as he sat in the cabin of the Olympia with his 
uniform on. The original sketch was made by Wm. Schmedtgen. of the 
Chicago Record Staff. 




GENERAL " FRED " FUNSTON 

The rapid promotion of General Funston is known to everyone. 
Probably the cause is this; Military regulations prescribe that a colonel 
shall stay behind his regiment, that he may better direct its move- 
ments. Colonel Funston went ahead and trusted his men to follow 
him. They did. One of his most famous exploits was the swimming 
of the deadly Malalos river with 20 of his men and capturing So fuUr 
armed Filipinos. 




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POEMS OF DEWEY AND THE PHILIPPINES. 



THE ISLANDS 

GOD is shaping tin- -real lutmv 
of the islauds of tlie sea; 
He has sowu the blood of martyrs, 

and the fruit is liberty; 
In thick clouds and in darkiiess. He 

has sent abroad His word; 
He has given a haughty nation to 
the cannon and the sword. 

He has seen a people moaning in the 

thousand deaths they die; 
He has heard from cliild and woman 

a terrible dark cry; 
He has given the wasted talent of 

the steward faithless found 
To the youngest of the nations with 

His abundance crowned. 

He called her to do justice where 

none but she liad power; 
He called her to do mercy to her 

neighbor at the door; 
He called her to do vengeance for 

her own sons foully dead; 
Thrice did He call unto her before 

she barkened. 

She has gathered the vast midland, 

she has searched her borders 

round ! 
There has been a mighty hosting of 

her children on the ground; 
Her searchlights lie along the sea, 

her guns are loud on land; 



OF THE SEA. 

To do her will upon the earth her 
armies round her stand. 

The fleet, at her commandmeul, to 

either ocean turns; 
Pelted round the mighty world her 

line of battle burns; 
She has loosed the hot volcanoes of 

the ships of tiaming hell; 
^\■ith tire and smoke and earthquake 

shock her heavv vengeance 

fell. 

Xor thou. () noble nation, wlio wast 
so slow to wrath. 

With grief too heavy-laden follow iu 
duty's path; " 

Not for ourselves our lives are; not 
for thyself art thou; 

The star of Christian ages is shin- 
ing on thy brow. 

Rejoice, O mighty mother, that (iod 
hath chosen thee 

To be the western Marder of the is- 
lands of the sea; 

He lifteth njj. He casteth down. He 
is the Iving of kings. 

Whose dread commands o"er awe- 
strucJc lands are borne on ea- 
gle's wings. 

— George E. Woodberry. 



A NATIONAL HYMN. 



OUR Father in heaven, we hallow 
Thy name, 
In Thee is our trust placed, our 
confidence grounded. 
Defend Thou the right, to the right- 
eous bring fame. 
But crush Thou all tyrants; may 
their arts be confounded. 
Free the suffering slave, 
.Vnd inspire every bi-ave 
With courage and strength that is 
mighty to save. 



Chorus — 

For so shall the Star-Spanj 
ner long wave 

O'er the land of the free 
home of the brave. 



led l!an- 
and the 



God bless our loved land. 
President, too. 
Bless our army and n 
judges and congres 



bless our 
a\v. our 



roK.Ms OF Di:\vi:v am> the riiiLirriNES. 



Bless the people, O Lord, ;iu(i Mess 
all thev do 
To eulijihteii the uations and help 
the world's piojiress. 
(liiide Thou all tlieir ways. 
Ciaiil them Ifiiutheiiinj; of days, 
And to Tliee we'll '/\\v thanks, hon- 
or, j^loiy, and inaise. 

And when we in war shall hi- forced ■ 
to engage. 



To free the oppressed or repel an 
invader, 
Though millions lier foes and though 
madness their rage, 
\\'e'll not fear for our land if Thou 
do but aid lii-r. 
So, Lord, for us light, 
I'ray defend Thou the light. 
And bring to those vict'ry who trust 
in Thy might. 

— i)etroit NewsTiibune. 



THE WAY IN THE NAVY. 

itT~\ ESTItOY or .apturc the eue- 
i-J niv's ships" — the Conimo- 



'1' 

(lore hears the word, 
Nor as weleome a sound to his sea- 
man ears in nniny a day's 
been heard; 
So up and away the scpiadron goes, 

the steam is crowded on; 
The oican hounds have taken tlieir 
bounds \o seek the wily Don! 
They seek him there, in his inmost 
lair, where he dreams he lit s 
secure. 
And little they reck of the burly 
mine or the sly torpedo's lure. 
"Find and giapple" — the law they 
keep, they want no other 
chart; 
'•Destroy or capture" — enough foi' 
them— the A and Z o' the art! 
And if you would know who told 

them so 
You'll find from the men, above or 

below. 
You'll find fi-om fiiend and you'll 
find from foe — 
"It's a way they have in the 
navy I" 

"T'lear for action." the signal waves; 

with a cheei- the men rei)ly — 
Not a man or a boy, fi'om stem to 

stern, was afi-aid to do and 

die! 
With mighty leaps the squadron 

sweeps thro' the living hell of 

the. 



-Vnd ever the foe, as tlu' tempests 
blow, is uiglier yet and 
nigherl 

Boom! roars the thirteen-incher now 
'gainst the riven armor ])late. 

The (Jatling joins, in its searching 
way, in the seething hot de- 
bate — 

"They strike! they strike!" — they 
run, they run — they seek to 
save who can — 

The jiride of Spain is imder the 
main, and it's twenty min- 
utes' si)an! 
And if you should ask how the 

trick was done, 
IIow the tight was ended and how 

begun. 
You'll tind. in fixing just Iidw they 
won — 
"It's a way they have in the 
navy!" 

See! see! they I'aise llie signal tlag 
to show their dire distress; 

Oh. bitter indeed must be the need 
when lighting men confess! 

Lower and lower sink their ships — 
sore stricken of limb and 
br.'atli— 

And sudden around them leaji the 
flames in a bla/.ing shi'oud of 
death. 

'■To the rescue, boysl" the Commo- 
dore wav<'S — but little need 
for the sign. 



P0EM8 OF DEWEY AND THE rHILIPl'INES. 



For the boats shoot out, like liviufj 
things, the k'Dgth o" the Yan- 
kee line; 

Round and round the hulks they go, 
and round and round again. 

With never a care for the booty 
theri^ — for they're saving the 
lives of men! 



And if you should wonder why 

thus they go 
To succor and save a fallen foe. 
You'll And, with the men above 
and below — 
"It's a way they have in the 
navy!" 

— John Jerome Roonev. 



WHEN THE BOYS COME HOME. 



THERE'S a happy time coming. 
When the boys come home. 
There's a glorious day coming. 
When the boys come home. 
We will end the dreadful story 
Of this treason dark and gory 
In a sunburst of glory 

When the boys come home. 

The day will seem brighter. 

When the boys come home, 
For our hearts will be lighter. 

When the boys come home. 
Wives and sweethearts will press 

them 
In their arms and caress them. 
And pray (lod to bless them. 

When the boys come home. 

The thinned ranks will be proudest, 
When the boys come home. 

And their cheer will ring the loud- 
est. 
When the bovs come home. 



The full ranks will be shattered. 
And the bright arms will be bat- 
tered. 
And the battle-standards tattered. 
When the boys come home. 

Their bayonets may be rusty. 
When the boys come home, 

And their uniforms dusty. 

When the boys come home. 

But all shall see the traces . ' 

Of battle's royal graces 

In the bi-own and bearded faces, 
When the boys come home. 

Our love shall go to meet them, 
When the boys come home. 
To bless them and to greet them. 

When the boys come home. 

And the fame of their endeavor 

Time and change shall not dissever 

From the nation's heart forever. 

When the boys come home. 

— John Hav. 



WHEN THE FLAG COMES HO.ME. 



WHEX the flag comes home, when 
the streets are filled 
With the sound of marching feet: 
When the war drums cease and the 
sword is sheathed. 
And lips to lips repeat — 
"Tis the hero there from the battle's 
glare. 
Hurrah I for the brave and true. 
And hurrah for the flag, the grand 
old ras 
Of the Red and White and Blue!" 



When the cannon's roar is heard no 
more. 
When the soldiers from the fray 
Come bac'- from the strife to babes 
and wife 
There'll be music down the way. 
And the ranks will hold the heroes 
bold 
With the flag above them sweet. 
As they march along to a welcome 
song. 
From the lips they long to greet. 



POEMS OF DEWEY AND TIIK I'llILll'l'lXES. 



The tlaji that lloats whik- a tlioiisand 
throats 
Kci)cat its soiifi of praise; 
The Ihif,' that k'd whert- the bullets 
sped 
Through the smoke of the battle 
haze; 
The llafi that's the pride of the brave 
who died 
Aud sank to the soldiers' rest, 
With a si<;h of love for the stars 
above, 
And it folds n]iou its breast. 

When tlie lla^' eomes home, and it 
jiasses b_v, 
Aud the tiles march one by one, 
The sun's bright rav will burn that 
day 
As it never yet has done; 
While the people's cheer will ci lio 
clear, 
And the bantiers wave on hiph. 
For the heroes true, dear land, for 
you 
That foujiht 'reath the tropic sky. 

Whei' the flag comes home, will all 
be say? 
Will all whose loved were there 
Stand by to shout wlicn the crowds 
turn out. 
Or whis])er a lonely ]>rayer? 
For llie liosts may come, but the 
mntlled drum 
Has jilayi'd the dirges drear 
For heroes slain in the awful rain 
They faced without a fear. 

When the flag comes honu' some 
hearts will weep. 
.\nd little eyes with tears 
Will fill for Hie thoughts of sorrows 
wrought 
For them through Hie Icmi:. Ions 
years, 



And a moHu'i's ear no more will 
hear 

The step she used to know; 
Aud a widow's heart will beat apart 

In a s'l'ii'^'o where the lilies srow. 

Hut the lias, ill'- sweet, down lane 
and sli-eet. 
When it comes from Hie fields of 
war. 
The peojile's cheer will echo clear 
And they'll love it more and 
more — 
For the victoi'ies won 'neath the 
tropic sun. 
For the heroes steppins 'A'-^y 
As the war drums beat and the 
thousands s''PPt 
Tlie ranks that marched away. 

I'.nt better still, for Hie deeds that 
thrill 
The heart with tenderness. 
For the sad and lone who yearn and 
moan 
In vain for the dear caress 
Of a hand that lies 'neath the tropic 
skies 
With a musket in his srasp. 
And a little face with a smile of 
srace. 
In a locket's golden clasj). 

And better still foi- the brave and 
true. 

Who f.-ll on the battle field. 
Who faced the fray in the hero-way 

.\nd knew not how to yield; 
Who sank to sleep where the si'asses 
creep, 

In the soldier's dreamless rest — 
With a sigh of love for the flas above 

.\nd its folds upon their breast. 

— .\non. 




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